Scripture: Luke 4:33-34
A man in the synagogue had the spirit of an unclean demon. He screamed, “Hey! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”
Thought for the Day: Unclean spirits and demons seem to recognize Jesus better than his disciples. This is a literary motif used more so in Mark’s Gospel, but we see it here as well. For the first century listener (again, the Gospels were probably read out loud in the context of worship as individuals did not carry around scrolls) would have recognized the cosmic battle between good and evil, light and darkness. But even more so, note how this representative of evil/darkness asks the question, “Have you come to destroy me?” The unclean demon recognizes his fate. Whether it happens now or later, Jesus will take him down. For a people who were under Roman occupation and felt as if their way of life had become taken over by the unclean demon of Roman authority, it was good to hear this acknowledgement by the destructive entity. Deep down, the unclean demon knows there will be no ultimate victory for him. Can you hear the hope offered in the narrative, even to those who cannot imagine much hope? It makes the listener privy to insider information that the Romans know deep down, but refuse to acknowledge.
Prayer: Make me an instrument of your hope. O Gracious God, make my life a window through which others are able to glimpse the hope made real in Jesus. Amen.
Continuing To Enjoy…
