Luke 4:31-37 ~ for His word was with authority

Luke 4:31-37

31 And he went down to Caper′na-um, a city of Galilee.

And he was teaching them on the sabbath; 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

Alphaeus the son of Zebedee, the son of John, made this column, may it be a blessing to him. This is a 4th century column. Romans, people under Roman rule and Southerners tend to keep names in the family and repeat. The Sons of Thunder, Zebedee - James and John - were Disciples of Jesus, from this area.


33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 35

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37

And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

I have to say I took poetic license and used the Hand with Light. Jesus used His Spoken Word.

His Word is Living and Active.

Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues

So does this happen today? I've seen very odd things in Church twice and heard of two locally and recently. One was in the 1970s and was someone who decided they would be far better off not coming to Church after a Freak Out at Communion. Personally, I think if Communion Freaks You Out - you best keep going More.

The next time was a United Church gathering and a man got heated up and started spewing. His Church kept people near him, to pray for him and to comfort him. This was done so well that only the people close by saw this in the huge Church Service. Those who witnessed this wanted to understand the precision of this. We were told - this young man came in various Churches to rant. This Church decided to help him and befriended him. I was told that the decision to pray for him each week - Succeeded. This Diligence of Prayer was rewarded. And was a gradual procedure from Screaming the Whole Service - Heckling - to beginning to listen - then telling them his rants, "Overcame him." And they became smaller and smaller as the people praying for him encouraged him to come each Sunday - Wednesday - and explain to them what the hate was.

The other I was told about. A growing Church had an unknown come blasting in to accuse - falsely - the Pastor and others of misdeeds. This scattered the young flock. From discomfort. Another friend said, that as a former college football player, he was asked to make a Screamer sit down and did. The Prayer Team prayed and the Screamer was comforted. How glad we all are - Jesus is in the House.

Jesus probably made people less uncomfortable by confronting the Screamer. I would expect this happens from time to time. And to suggest to the Family of God to pray and remain diligent. God is Sovereign and this is His Church. Each day pray for His Church and the Leadership. His Blessings never cease. His Mercy Endures and Heals. Look to the example of Capernaum - this Place of Worship has existed centuries and centuries, people come to worship today.

Father GOD, You are Sovereign. We thank You for Your Blessings. Pour Your Holy Spirit over our Worship Places.  Allow the miracles of Jesus we adore to be plentiful - the deaf hear, the lame walk, the blind see and the poor have good news preached to them. We pray for Peace in our Worship and the healing of all hurt. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

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