Day 40 – Every knee shall bow

Study Luke 4:31-37

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.” Luke 4:35

The geographical area of Jesus’ ministry was in the Galilean city of Capernaum. It means 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘢𝘩𝘶𝘮, and Nahum means 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 in the Hebrew language. How beautiful to know that the base of most of Jesus’ miracles and ministry was done in the city of 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵?

As per His custom, Jesus taught on the Sabbath and the people were amazed. The Greek word here is 𝘦𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰, which is a strong verb meaning 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. Jesus spoke with such glory, power, and truth that His words left people amazed. This strong word made me think about how I perceive Jesus’ words captured in the gospels. Am I struck with amazement every time I read them? Or have I become so accustomed to the words on the pages that I miss the glory, power, truth, and the impact it should have?

Verse 33 says that the man with the unclean spirit (demon) was IN the synagogue. Not hiding in the dark, lurking outside. Inside, amongst worshippers. We think of the enemy as far from us and do not expect him in our church or amongst those we know.

The demon knew who Jesus was and started to proclaim it, but Jesus did not need his testimony and, with one command, silenced him. The word 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 in verse 35 is the Greek 𝘦𝘹𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘪, meaning to depart, come forth, and get out – it’s also where we get the English word 𝘦𝘹𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘮 from.

I’ve always wondered why the demon threw the man on the ground before he obeyed Jesus until I understood Philippians 2:10-11, which, to me, is scripture in action. “That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.”

Pray with me: Father, thank You for the truth and gold nuggets we learn from this scripture. Even the demons confess that Jesus is Lord, and they obey Him because He is Lord of all. May we be struck with amazement when we read Jesus’ words and actions, and may it transform our hearts. Amen. ©

Love, Pastor Iriza