January 30, 2022
Pastor John Hering
Luke 4:38-44
Luke 4:38-44
38 Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39 He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40 As the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 Demons also came out of many people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 When it was day, he went out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. They went up to him and were trying to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he continued to preach in the synagogues in the land of the Jews.
Sometimes things just don’t go as expected. Last year we planned the agenda for the Grow Conference, Covid killed it. Or, it was on the agenda of a student to prep some meals, wash some clothes and get a good night’s sleep, but her roommate thought she heard weird noises in the house and her woke up to the voices of men in her Livingroom—the voices of police. So, it was with Jesus in Nazareth. He went to church, read God’s Word, said a few things and what we might expect would happen, didn’t. We shouldn’t be surprised because Jesus went through every temptation we face, but never sinned.
This Epiphany our theme is “Uncovered.” It is uncovered because it can’t be discovered, but it has to be revealed to us. Last week rejection was uncovered and this week it is 180-degree turn. The people of Capernaum weren’t rejecting Jesus, but they were begging Jesus not to leave. Luke uncovers their reason why. Luke is inspired to teach us that
Jesus’ Agenda Goes Contrary to Expectation
Avoid Following A Sinful World
Jesus left Nazareth and went to the area around the Sea of Galilee—to Capernaum. Jesus did the same thing in both places. “38 Jesus got up, left the synagogue, and went into Simon’s house.” Jesus went to church and preached with power and authority and then the same thing happened. People were amazed by his teaching. This is a day in the life of Jesus living in a sinful world. Goes to church, comes home, and then something amazing happens. “Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. They asked him to help her. 39 He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.” When you think about Jesus’ miracles is this one that really amazes you? Probably not because we don’t think a high fever is a killer. We take some Tylenol, go to bed and plan to wake up a few hours later feeling much better. But, not in Jesus’ day. A high fever was dangerous leading to seizures, people going blind, and even death. We can easily picture Peter’s wife tending to her mother when Jesus is alerted to the situation. “39 He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.” Remember, when we left Jesus last week, he walked right through the angry crowds because nothing was going to stop him. Satan tried to use the angry crowd. That didn’t work. Now he uses a fever. But, Jesus “rebuked” the fever that seized Simon’s mother-in-law. This is more than just a physical sickness. This is psychological and spiritual warfare! Satan was seeking to inhibit the rule of Jesus in the lives of people by using the sicknesses of people that are going to come flooding at Jesus to try and destroy God’s agenda of dying on the cross and to follow the agenda of a sinful world of popularity and glory.
Jesus was on his way to the cross, but Jesus was also aware of each person with whom he came into contact. “He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.” Jesus took the time to heal her. She was instantaneously restored to full strength! Do you remember the last time you recovered from a fever? I’m guessing you didn’t immediately entertain a house full of people.
And then the floodgates were opened. “40 As the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” All night long they were in hot pursuit of Jesus and brought their sick. All night long Jesus was fulfilling his ministry as the promised Messiah to the point of no sleep! Can’t you just see Peter saying, “Lord, you are so popular. Let’s set up some booths and give all these people access to you and your amazing power! Peter would try that again later on, “But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a snare to me because you are not thinking the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt 16:23). Jesus’ Agenda Goes Contrary to Expectation. Satan wanted Jesus to Follow A Sinful World’s Agenda of glory and fame. But, Jesus’ mission was saving people body and soul.
Dear friends in Christ, this is a great source of comfort for you. Jesus loves you, too! You get a chance to be with Jesus, too. Jesus healed mom’s fever, little Joshua’s foot, and Uncle Jeremy’s bad eyes. And how did he do it? He could have just spoken a miraculous word to heal them all, but what does Jesus do? “He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” Jesus was performing triage all night long for every single person. So, Jesus knows all the problems of each and every one of you. Jesus touches sick people! And these same hands would one day be nailed to the cross to save everyone. It’s easy to believe that in general Jesus died for all sinners. But, learn this lesson: Jesus died for you! Jesus is with you now and loves you now no matter your fear, trembling, worry or stress. Jesus’ love for you goes beyond our expectation! Jesus puts his hands on you, leans over your bed and saves you. What astounding comfort for you!
Jesus also showed his power over Satan. “41 Demons also came out of many people, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.” Jesus clearly showed his power over Satan. The people were all amazed by Jesus, but amazement is not faith. This isn’t discipleship. Capernaum people want a Caesar and army, not a rag-tag leader of fishermen. Just like Jesus rebuked the fever, he also rebuked the demons. Even though the demons were emphasizing that Jesus was the very son of God, Jesus knew their agenda was only going to feed into the agenda of the people—wanting Jesus to be their earthly Savior (law). But, Jesus deals with them swiftly and completely with his powerful word (gospel).
Then next morning it says, “42 When it was day, he went out to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him.” The people of Capernaum weren’t rejecting Jesus, but they were begging Jesus not to leave. Now you see Satan at work. While the word of God was growing it was met with rejection and acceptance. People kept coming, even when Jesus was looking for a place to solitude. They were intent on making sure he never left them, but for what reason? Last week they wanted to get rid of Jesus because they hated him. Today they wanted Jesus to never leave because they loved him! Both people had their own sinful agenda. But, what was it that both groups needed to hear more than anything else? Not to Follow The Sinful Agenda of the world, to hear what their itching ears wanted to hear against their expectations. They needed to hear Jesus
Proclaim God’s Word
Jesus had a different agenda – not to bask in the popularity he found in Capernaum “43 But he told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is why I was sent.” Jesus knew what was on his Agenda! From age 12 all the way to the cross. The same Jesus who used his word to demonstrate his control over illness and evil uses words to express the fact that he is willing to be controlled by his divinely given agenda. Jesus was focused on the larger mission and not get knocked off the track by all the people.
Last week we saw Jesus walk through the crowd that wanted to throw him from a cliff. It’s perhaps even more remarkable to see Jesus walk through the crowd that wants to hang on to him forever. Yes, we are so thankful for the times when Jesus comes to help us in our daily struggles, but Jesus shows us this is not the only thing he is here to do. The Love of God compels him to finish the work he came to do. It is this same love of Christ for us, and love of Christ in us that drives us to seek out others to Proclaim God’s Word! All is lost if the Word remains silent!
Yes, God does want us to be aware of those in need, but all is lost if the Word remains silent. Jeremiah is all about the Word that so powerfully uproots, tears down, and plants. It is the power Word that St Paul wrote to young Pastor Timothy to preach. It is the Word that rebukes, corrects, and trains in righteousness. This is no different from Jesus’ ministry. Jesus proclaims the powerful Word of God that rebukes people who are caught in the bondage of sin. It is the same powerful Word of God that points people to the Good News of Jesus Christ!
This is vital for us. We lose our “way” to live when we lose our “why” to live. Jesus knew the why. He wanted to save us and not get drawn off into battles for people as a mere doctor. He was going to die and rise again! It is this promise of Jesus’ powerful Word that gives us our “why we live.” We live in Faith, Hope and Love!
Faith – You don’t want to miss out. You weren’t there when Jesus did his healing or when he died on the cross, but Jesus is coming back to save you from this world and take you to heaven.
Hope – We are living in a world with so many agendas. Who can help you? Who can fix this world? Nobody. But. Jesus. Our hope rests in the Word and sacrament. You are forgiven because you were baptized and Jesus is coming back for you.
Love – Jesus came to this world to love people. You are Jesus’ hands and feet in this world. In this broken world of politics, Covid and stress you have Jesus’ love. The love you have is the love Jesus shows us at Capernaum. It is the love for people in your life.
Sometimes things just don’t go as expected. Today we praise God that Jesus’ Agenda Goes Contrary to Expectation. Jesus Avoids Following a Sinful World who are rejecting or honoring him for the wrong reasons. Jesus didn’t show up to win us over by armies, power and clever arguments, but Jesus is the gentle man who shows up with a rag-tag group of fisherman and wins you over by the force of his love. Be close to Jesus. Contrary to worldly Expectations, get behind Jesus and see what he has for you every single day. The same Jesus who leaned over Simon’s mother and healed her fever is the same Jesus who leans down from the cross, and beyond expectation says, “I love you.” Rest every day in the unexpected peace Jesus has for you. Amen.
