Daily Word - God Spoke - Luke 4:31-37

Scripture:
Luke 4:31-37 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Demon 31(A) And he(B) went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And(C) he was teaching them(D) on the Sabbath, 32and(E) they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33And(F) in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34"Ha What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?(H) I know who you are—(I) the Holy One of God." 35But Jesus(J) rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36And(K) they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" 37And(L) reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Footnotes:
Luke 4:34 Or Leave us alone
Cross references:
Luke 4:31 : For Luke 4:31-37, Mark 1:21-28
Luke 4:31 : Matt 4:13
Luke 4:31 : Luke 4:15, 16; Matt 4:23
Luke 4:31 : Mark 6:2
Luke 4:32 : Luke 4:36; Matt 7:28, 29
Luke 4:33 : Luke 4:31
Luke 4:34 : Matt 8:29
Luke 4:34 : Acts 19:15; James 2:19
Luke 4:34 : John 6:69; Acts 3:14; Rev 3:7; Luke 1:35; Heb 7:26; 1 John 2:20
Luke 4:35 : Luke 4:41; Matt 12:16
Luke 4:36 : Luke 4:32; Matt 8:27
Luke 4:37 : Luke 4:14

Reflection:
How do you respond to the word of God? Do you hear it with selective submission or with the full assent of faith and obedience? When Jesus taught he spoke with authority. He spoke the word of God as no one had spoken it before. When the Rabbis taught they supported their statements with quotes from other authorities. The prophets spoke with delegated authority -- Thus says the Lord. When Jesus spoke he needed no authorities to back his statements. He was authority incarnate -- the Word of God made flesh. When he spoke, God spoke. When he commanded even the demons obeyed. If demons, the fallen angels, have faith in the Son of God, how much more should we believe the gospel with the full assent of our minds and hearts and entrust our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ? If we approach God's word submissively, with an eagerness to do everything the Lord desires, we are in a much better position to learn what God wants to teach us through his word. Are you eager to be taught by the Lord and to conform your life according to his word?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord, your word is power and life. May I never doubt your saving love and mercy, and the power of your word to bring healing, restoration, and freedom from sin and affliction.