Text: Luke 4:31-44
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Here we are in the month of January during the tail end of the college football season with all the bowl games. In addition, we are heading to the climax of the NFL season with the up coming Super Bowl next Sunday. Now in these games, there is a lot of pressure placed upon each individual player. In addition, there is also a lot of pressure placed upon the officials of the game. The officials are the ones who are expected to make the right call. After all it is their job. They are paid to make the right calls. They are the ones who signal if a field goal is good or if a touch down was made. They raise their hands high up into the air to validate a score declaring, “It’s good.”
These officials have authority in the game. All eyes are placed upon them. Now it would be naïve to think that the words of the referee actually make things happen. His authority only validates a play. His word, “Touchdown,” does not make the player catch a ball in the end zone. His hands held up high do not make the football fly through the uprights for a field goal. The referee’s authority is bound to the actions of the players. He only reports what the players on the field have done. His authority is tied to the rules of the game. His job is to enforce those rules.
Now in today’s Gospel text, we hear of one who has authority. His name is Jesus. He has a different type of authority though. In our text, He shows His authority in the way of the gospel rather than in the way of the law. He does not come to enforce the rules. He does not come to those under the control of demons and throw a penalty marker on the ground declaring, “Off sides.” and then assess them with a penalty. He does not come to those who are sick and declare, “Ineligible receiver.” and then assess a penalty.
Instead, He comes in the way of the gospel. He comes to set the captives free. He comes to give salvation where there is damnation. He comes to restore creation. He comes to give life where there is death. He comes to take upon the sin of the world. Now this is a different type of authority.
Notice again that the authority of the referee is to judge according to the rules of the game. He cannot make a touch down, but he can report that one has taken place. Jesus, on the other hand, comes not as our Judge, but rather as our Savior. He comes to save. He comes as our Servant King. He comes to bring us the Kingdom.
Now Jesus does not just philosophize about the concept of freedom or protest before the demons requesting a release of the prisoners. He doesn’t give the demon possess man five new techniques or methods to get rid of his “inner demon.” Instead, He speaks with authority. What He says happens.
His Word has power. It actual does what it says. He tells the demon to be silent and the demon is silent. He tells the demon to leave and he leaves. He rebukes the illness and it is gone.
Jesus came to preach the good news. And when He preaches, the good news becomes a reality. He doesn’t just talk about the kingdom. No, He brings it. He takes those who are in captivity in a kingdom of darkness and He transfers them into His kingdom of light. He uses His hands not to signal an event, but rather to make the event happen. He heals by His outstretched hand.
In today’s Gospel text, we hear about those who were possessed by an unclean spirit. Now that’s not something we talk about in our everyday conversation. “Hey, did you see that man over there. Yeah, he’s possessed by a demon. Poor fella.” Yet, the Scripture reveals to us this spiritual reality that is hidden from our eyes.
The idea of possession is the reality of being controlled. One who is possessed by a demon is controlled by a demon. The devil would like nothing more than for us to be under his control.
But our text shows us that no matter how much control the devil may claim, ultimately it is Jesus who is in complete control. He is the one who can control the demon and command the unclean spirit to be silent and to depart. In fact, Jesus has everything under control.
In our lives we forget this. We want to be in control. It is like those who watch a football game on T.V. and hoot and holler cheering on their teams as if the louder they cheer the better their team will do. You can yell at the quarterback to throw the ball all you want, but he won’t hear you. You can yell at the referee after he makes a call, but he won’t acknowledge your advice.
In the physical realm, we realize that we are not in control when we become sick, ill, or have an accident. Maybe you were fine yesterday, but now all of a sudden you have a headache and a fever. Maybe last week you were able to run and jump, but now you have to walk around with crutches.
Ultimately, we are not in control. We are not in control in the physical realm or in the spiritual realm. But the good news is that Jesus is ultimately in control. As we continue to hear His Word, we continue to recognize this reality more and more. We are brought to utter dependence upon Him. In our text, Jesus comforts us with the reality that He is in control both physically and spiritually.
Ever since the beginning, the devil has wanted us to be under his control. He came with false words and a false authority. Our first parents listened and gave to us a false start. The penalty for being off sides is far greater than a few yards on the football field. The penalty is death and separation from God.
Jesus came to pay the penalty. In His death, He brings us back to God.
Thus, in today’s text, He brings the reality of the restoration of creation. He keeps the demon silent before any false words could be spoken and He heals the women from sickness that is a result of living in a fallen world.
After His resurrection, He sends the apostles out with authority to proclaim this kingdom of God. Notice that they too cast out demons, but whereas Jesus directly commands the demons to come out, the apostles say, “In the name of Jesus, come out.” It is by His authority that they did these great things.
At the beginning of today’s divine service, I forgave you all your sins. I did so by His authority. In the absolution I said, “As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority…” It is in the name of Jesus that your sins are forgiven. Thus, I said, “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This reality is yours today. In Jesus you have forgiveness. Amen.
