Because that Is Why I Was Sent
Luke 4:38-44
Key verse 43
“But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Introduction
In this passage Jesus healed Simon’s mother in law and demons came out of many people. Jesus prayed early in the morning and resolved to proclaim the good news of kingdom of God in all the towns. Through this passage we can learn what we should focus on as we are participating in God’s salvation work.
1. Read verses 38-39. Where does Jesus go? (38a) What had happened to Simon’s mother –in –law? (38b) How does Jesus heal her? (39a) What can we learn about Jesus here? What does Simon’s mother do after she is healed? (39b)
1-1. Read versed 38-39.
38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
1-2. Where does Jesus go? (38a)
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon
Simon Peter’s house was located in Capernaum, a town in Galilee.
1-3.What had happened to Simon’s mother –in –law? (38b)
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.
Simon Peter was a married man.
Simon’s mother –in-law was suffering from a high fever.
We do not know what led her to have a high fever.
Still in modern day one of unknown fever is a very difficult to make a diagnosis.
Maybe she was in great distress due to the fact that her son in law seemed to be crazy to follow Jesus by abandoning his family and she might be concerned about her daughter.
She had suffered from the high fever and she might be in serious condition at that time when Jesus visited.
They asked Jesus to help her. People who heard of Jesus’ miracles may have hope that Jesus had divine power to heal her high fever.
1-4.How does Jesus heal her? (39a)
So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.
Jesus rebuked the fever- Some people think that there was evil spirit behind the fever and the evil spirit caused the fever. Some people think that Luke wrote in that way to make Jesus’ action of healing vivid or to emphasis the power of Jesus’ word.
Jesus was not happy to see a woman suffering from high fever long time. So he rebuked the fever.
Jesus has compassionate heart for the people who are suffering from any disease and wants to set them free from their illnesses.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ( Is 53:5)
1-5. What can we learn about Jesus here?
Jesus’ healing power was manifested. When Jesus rebuked the fever, it left immediately. None of disease resist against Jesus’ words.
1-6. What does Simon’s mother do after she is healed? (39b)
She got up at once and began to wait on them.
When Jesus healed her, she got up immediately. It shows the power of Jesus’ healing. Jesus’ healing power brought immediate healing to the woman.
When she received Jesus’ healing grace she expressed her thankfulness by serving Jesus and his disciples.
When we received the grace of God we need to express our appreciation by serving him and his people.
Jesus healed the woman and let her serve him. Jesus can heal sick people and let them serve God with good health.
2. Read verses 40-41. Whom do people bring to Jesus and how does Jesus heal them? (40) What do demons say about Jesus? (41a) How does Jesus respond? Why does Jesus not allow them to speak? (41b)
2-1. Read versed 40-14
40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
2-1.Whom do people bring to Jesus and how does Jesus heal them? (40)
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
People brought the sick to Jesus at sunset after Sabbath for it ended before sunset.
They brought various kinds of sickness. People were suffering from all kinds of sickness.
The UN WHO distinguish 12,420 disease categories in ICD-10 (2007)
Jesus laid his hands on each one and healed them. It shows the source of the healing power was Jesus and Jesus showed his compassion on them by laying his hands on each one.
2-2. What do demons say about Jesus? (41a) How does Jesus respond?
41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
The demons recognized Jesus as “the Son of God”. They could not resist against Jesus’ power. Even though they recognized Jesus, they didn’t accept Jesus as their Lord for recognizing Jesus and accepting Jesus is different.
2-3. Why does Jesus not allow them to speak? (41b)
But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
Jesus did not allow them to speak because their word could mislead people about Jesus.
Jesus didn’t want to be testified by demons for their testimony dishonored Jesus and bothered his ministry.
3. Read verse 42. Why does Jesus go out to a solitary place at daybreak? (42a, Mk1:35) What are people doing and why do you think they might have wanted to remain with Jesus? (42b) Why do you wish to remain with Jesus?
3-1. Read versed 42.
42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
3-2.Why does Jesus go out to a solitary place at daybreak? (42a, Mk1:35)
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mk 1:35)
Jesus went to a solitary place and prayed. Jesus prayed very early in the morning while it was still dark. Jesus prepared his daily ministry through early morning prayer.
Jesus received the power that he needed to serve the ministry through prayer.
He got God’s direction and guidance for his work and had fellowship with God through prayer.
The prayer was the secret of Jesus’ successful and powerful ministry. It shows that Jesus serve the ministry not with his own strength but the power from God through prayer.
Jesus was very busy and tired doing many things, but he woke up early in the morning to pray.
He charged himself in the morning through the prayer and then served the people during day time.
Jesus showed us the example of how to serve God’s work. Trying to serve God’s work without prayer is like trying to drive a car without gas
3-3.What are people doing and why do you think they might have wanted to remain with Jesus? (42b)
The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
The people wanted Jesus to remain with them because they wanted Jesus to do what they wanted such as healing, driving out demons and many other things.
They didn’t understand Jesus and His work.
3-4. Why do you wish to remain with Jesus?
Personal application
4. Read verses 43-44. What does Jesus say? (43) What do you think Jesus’ words teach us about his ministry? What does Jesus do? (44) What can we learn from Jesus’ resolve to continue preaching God’s words among the synagogues of Judea?
4-1. Read verses 43-44.
43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
4-2.What does Jesus say? (43) What do you think Jesus’ words teach us about his ministry?
“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
The core of Jesus’ ministry was to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus came to this world to save people from their sin and bring them into the kingdom of God.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13,14)
He healed people and drove out demons but he focused on preaching the good news.
That is why I was sent - Jesus had clear idea about the purpose of his life on earth and his ministry.
He didn’t work according to people’s request but according to the will of God.
People have a lot of needs for their life. But what people really need is the kingdom of God.
“I must proclaim the good news” The good news of the kingdom of God must be proclaimed by any means. It should be proclaimed in season and out of season.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:1,2)
“To the other towns also” The good news should be proclaimed to other towns, all the towns in all nations until the good news reaches to the end of the world.
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations (Mk 13:10)
4-3. What does Jesus do? (44) What can we learn from Jesus’ resolve to continue preaching God’s words among the synagogues of Judea?
And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea
Jesus kept preaching in all the town of Judea. Jesus had never stopped preaching until he died on the cross. He was persecuted because of his preaching but he didn’t stop it.
He dedicated himself for the preaching. He was faithful carrying out the mission that he received from God, which is to reach the good news of kingdom of God.
Conclusion
Jesus knew what the purpose of his ministry was. He kept preaching the good news of kingdom of God. People need many things but what they do need is the kingdom of God. The good news of kingdom of God must be reached to those who are unaware of it. May God help us to preach the good news of kingdom of God to all people of the world.
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