Tuesday 3 December 2024 The Revd Ruth Whitehead,

Tuesday 3 December 2024

St Luke 4: 31 – 37

He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Let us alone! 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.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, ‘What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!’ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

Reflection

Any of us who have suffered from mental ill health might struggle with this description of Jesus casting out an unclean spirit from this man in Capernaum. But before we turn the page and hurry away, let’s see what the experience is of the man who is unwell.

Jesus relieves him of his suffering, and he emerges whole and unharmed. This is a miracle – the first miracle Luke records – a miracle of healing and a sign of the total authority Jesus commands. Perhaps it helps to look at the miracle and not get too bogged down in the language of unclean spirits. 

We could define any miracle as ‘a thing causing wonder’: the healing Jesus offers fills us with wonder and makes us long to know healing for ourselves.

Luke tells us that the people of Capernaum are struck by the authority of Jesus’ teaching – and then they see the authority and power with which Jesus heals this man’s affliction. Jesus is the one whose teaching and healing is delivered with both care and authority. 

There is something about the way Jesus speaks to the man which produces the miracle of his healing: he speaks with authority and power. 

We who follow Jesus should not shrink away from speaking with the authority of the one we follow. When I was deep in the throes of postpartum psychosis, my healing began with the authoritative words of my minister “you will get through this”. To be reassured, to be believed in, to be spoken to with confidence and authority made a huge difference to my healing.

We should not speak out against medical advice or advise people to turn away from professional help: but what we say can reinforce a journey of healing by speaking authoritatively of God’s care and the presence of the Holy Spirit as comforter, as revealed by Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Lord God of all that is good,
we thank you for Jesus’ authority over illness.
Give us, who follow Jesus,
the courage to speak with his authority,
and help each other to wholeness.
In the name of Jesus. Amen