Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.
Luke 4:31–32, ESV
Jesus heals and casts demons out of many, and if you were to read through further in this portion of Luke, you would find many of those healings. The focus, however, is centered on this reality, the power of the Word. The Word which Jesus preached was full of authority. The Word itself is transformative and healing. The power of that Word drove many demons to come and cry out against Him. Yet, was this Jesus’ purpose? No, he states such a little further down as He leaves, stating that He must go to other villages to “preach the good news of the kingdom of God.” It can be easy to become caught up in the miracles and miss the power of the Word. Yes, in Christ, we may be healed of infirmities, and the Word will drive out demons, but the greatest transformation of the Word is how it can transform hearts and lead lost and broken souls to the kingdom of God. That is the greatest miracle and healing offered by God. A person that is healed of ailments is a wonderful thing, but there is no guarantee that the healed person will enter the kingdom of God except that they have faith. I have known some who were healed and have walked away from the faith because of a disappointment or a feeling. Jesus came to save lost souls through the proclamation of the good news, and this was not just a partial feel-good word, but the full Gospel of our Lord is a calling away from the things of this world and a calling into the kingdom of God. This Word convicts, condemns, and sets free. It is the Law and the Gospel proclaimed in its fullness. It is the Word that caused five thousand who had been following a portion of the message to walk away and caused those crying out “Hosanna” to, in a short time, cry “Crucify Him!” It is this Word that is proclaimed with great authority and this Word that saves us all.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.