Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 4:31-39 "THE REPORT ABOUT HIM WENT OUT INTO EVERY PLACE..." Luke 4:37"
Day 55 – Luke 4
Text: Luke 4:31-39
“THE REPORT ABOUT HIM WENT OUT INTO EVERY PLACE…” Luke 4:37
The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was well established. There was a definite pattern in the way He ministered. His main or primary ministry was centered in the teaching of God’s Word.
1. He would go to the synagogues on the Sabbath to read and to teach the Scriptures.
2. He would talk to people about the Kingdom of God.
3. He would invite people to repent from their sins and to receive the invitation to become part of God’s Kingdom.
There was a secondary ministry. This involved the work of healing people. There were people who were ill. They were sometimes beyond the medical knowledge of the physicians in those days. Then there were those who were afflicted by demons! They needed help desperately. The Lord Jesus out of love and compassion healed them of their afflictions! The miracles He performed had a greater significance that many did not appreciate. They revealed His true identity. He was much more than just a great Bible Teacher. He was much more than just a Miracle Worker! He was the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, the long-awaited-for Redeemer prophesied by the Old Testament prophets!
Twice now, Luke recorded the fact that news about the Lord Jesus began to spread rapidly.
“And news of Him went out through all the surrounding region…” Luke 4:14
“And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.”
Luke 4:37
Luke merely recorded the fact that the ministry of the Lord Jesus was truly mighty. However, Luke also recorded the fact that not everyone understood the Lord Jesus Christ and His ministry. He recorded for example the fact that Nazareth rejected Jesus and His ministry outright!
Multitudes flocked to Jesus. That was a phenomenon that could not but be noticed. However, the Lord Jesus was not caught up with this phenomenal “success”. He knew the hearts of men only too well!
A GLIMPSE OF MUNDANE DETAILS
Luke cleverly paints in important details that enable us to appreciate how Jesus must have lived. It is fine to be out in the day, teaching people the Word of God in the synagogue and healing people.
However, where did He rest for the night? For that matter, where did He get His meals? In Luke 4:38-39, we are given a glimpse of how Jesus must have lived.
Jesus went to homes that were open to Him and His disciples. In this instance, He went to the home of Peter’s mother-in-law! That’s “family”. There was a strong sense of being “family” in those days.
There were those who believed in the Lord Jesus and would be more than glad to welcome Him into their homes for the night. Peter’s mother-in-law was one of those believers.
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO JESUS
As Jesus and His disciples went to the home of Peter’s mother-in-law, there came a request for healing. Jesus did not go there to heal Peter’s mother-in-law. He went there to rest for the night.
Naturally, the Lord Jesus attended to the needs of Peter’s mother-in-law. He restored her to complete health! We next read a statement that should serve as a great lesson to be learned by all.
“And immediately she arose and served them.” Luke 4:39
Peter’s mother-in-law must have been more than glad that she could open her home to her son-in-law and his group of friends! More than that, she must have come to faith in the Great Teacher who had caught Israel by storm! His teaching power, His healing power was already a byword in every home in that region! He had chosen to come to her home! And she had been too ill to serve Him and His disciples!
However, that problem was resolved! She was made well instantly! She was restored completely! Her fever that left her worn out was gone! She was restored to full health! How should she respond? “Immediately she arose and served them” – says it all.
These were hungry men, and they needed to be fed. Preparation must be made for their sleeping accommodation. There was much work to be done. She personally received the healing grace of the Lord Jesus! But of course she would immediately arise and serve! That’s the most natural and appropriate response!
A NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY
Peter’s mother-in-law was not the only one who ministered by opening up her home to look after people in need. The Apostle John once wrote to a good friend he called, “The beloved Gaius” (3 John 1).
John wrote a letter of commendation to Gaius for maintaining a special ministry, that was well described in these words,
“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren
and for strangers,
who have borne witness of your love before the church.
If you send them forward on their journey in a manner
worthy of God, you will do well…” (3 John 5-6)
Let us be greatly challenged to emulate good examples found in the Scriptures! May the Lord bless and strengthen our resolve to respond appropriately always!