I MUST PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS

Luke 4:31-44 / Keywords 4:43

But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

 

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

4:31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

Jesus Heals Many

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.

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.

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. 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.

1. In Capernaum, Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath. His teaching had authority and power. Even a demon that had possessed a man responded rebelliously to Jesus’ words. Jesus gave orders to the demon and drove the impure spirits out of the man. People were amazed at the authority and power of Jesus’ words. Jesus went to Simon’s house and healed Simon’s mother-in-law by rebuking a high fever that obeyed Jesus’ words. At sunset, the people brought the sick and the demon-possessed. And Jesus laid his hands on each one and healed them all. Jesus’ words have power and authority to heal and give life to those who hear and accept, and to destroy and expel the evil force of Satan.

2. At daybreak Jesus went to pray in a solitary place and had God’s direction. The crowds pleaded with Jesus to stay, but Jesus followed God’s direction and visited other towns to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. Healing and caring for the needy are good works, yet what the world needs most is the good news of the kingdom of God. God sent Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of God. The priority of Jesus’ people is to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.

Prayer Lord, help me to hear your life-giving words and to proclaim the kingdom of God.

One Word The kingdom of God as first priority