The Gospel from St. Luke 4:31-44 provides a picture of Jesus' early public ministry in Galilee, especially centered around Capernaum. During this period, He teaches and preaches in the synagogues on the Sabbath. Our Lord also engages in a healing ministry. Let us notice two aspects of His healing work. 1) There are extraordinary spiritual healings from evil spirits. Jesus overcomes the destructive power of evil through His holy divine power. 2) There were also miraculous healings from physical afflictions, such as the fever or infection suffered by Peter's mother-in-law. The goal of the healings is also to proclaim or "preach the kingdom of God" (Luke 4:43).
In both word and deed in His earthly ministry, Christ proclaimed the heavenly Father's holy, mighty, and gracious rule over the spiritual realm, over nature, and over human life. Through Word and Sacrament, our Lord is still at work. The living Christ still brings the kingdom of God into this fallen world and into our lives. May we be open to His gracious power which can redeem and heal our lives!
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