Still Doing What He Said
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” – Luke 4:40-43, NIV
“Already embodied here is a fundamental clash between the kingdoms over which the devil has authority and the authority and power of Jesus- the one intent on the bondage and segregation of persons, the other on release and human wholeness in community.” -Joel B. Green
Luke’s careful account of God’s unfolding redemptive plan is Christocentric. Jesus is the epicenter of God’s redemptive work. But, the earthly ministry of Jesus was not the end of Jesus’ ministry. No, in fact it was the redemptive plan to continue the ministry of Jesus in and through the followers of Jesus. We can know this to be true because, Luke writes two volumes and not one. “The Acts of the Apostles” as it has been titled is in fact, not a different storyline than Luke. No, it is the continuing story of Jesus’ ministry, now carried on by the followers of Jesus. And the hallmarks of their ministry, not surprisingly, parallel Jesus’ ministry. He preached good news to the poor (spiritual outsiders). Beginning in Acts 2, Luke records proclamation after proclamation of the good news about Jesus to spiritual outsiders (e.g.- Acts 4:32, 33, 5:21, 7:2-53, 8:4-5, 25-35, 10:34-43). Jesus came to bring release from oppression and freedom for captives. He did just that by healing the sick and casting out demons. His followers did the same in the book of Acts (e.g.- 3:6-10, 5:12-16, 14:8-10, 16:16-18). Luke’s theological point is clear and replete with evidence: Jesus’ ministry is still happening in and through Jesus’ followers.
This is a great challenge. It will require the Holy Spirit’s filling and anointing to carry on Jesus’ ministry. It will also require that we often challenge the status quo- be that who the good news is for, how we handle sickness and disease or how we deal with spiritual darkness. Be that as it may, it is Jesus’ expectation of us. I know that sounds overly authoritative but, I can see it no other way. In fact, when Jesus commissions the 12 to go village to village, Luke tells us, “he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1b-2) Notice the hallmarks are all there: drive out demons, cure diseases and heal the sick, and proclaim the kingdom of God. A similar sort of commission was given to the 72 in Luke 10. They are told, “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Luke 10:9). And then in their post-op report, they tell Jesus, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
In addition to being a challenge to us, Jesus ministry continuing in and through His followers should be powerful good news. After all, we are the spiritual outsiders who need the good news preached to us and Jesus is doing that in our lives. We are the sick and diseased and Jesus is healing the sick and curing diseases. We are the spiritually oppressed and Jesus is setting us free. What a wonderful reality to let settle in our souls. Jesus is at work in me. He is at work in my life. He is proclaiming, releasing, restoring sight. All of this makes me think of a song. I am not even sure when or where I learned this one but, I think it was probably in Sunday School or Children’s Church. Maybe you know it too?
I've got a river of life flowing out of me!
Makes the lame to walk, and the blind to see.
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free!
I've got a river of life flowing out of me!
Spring up, O well, within my soul!
Spring up, O well, and make me whole!
Spring up, O well, and give to me
That life abundantly.
Questions for Life Application/Further Discussion:
Of the 3 hallmarks of Jesus’ ministry in Luke 4:31-44 (good news proclamation, exorcism, healing of the sick) which do you find most native to you? Most foreign?
What ministry of Jesus do you need most right now? How will you seek Him for it?
What ministry of Jesus do you find most difficult for you to do?
How will you grow in carrying on the ministry of Jesus in your life? What resources might you need? Who in your life is doing well in carrying on the ministry of Jesus who you can learn from?
Reflect back on your story: How has the ministry of Jesus entered your story? In what ways have you seen the ministry of Jesus as you’ve walked with Him? How has Jesus used you to minister to someone else? Share one or two of the most impactful moments as a testimony of Jesus’ ministry and as an encouragement to someone who is in need of a similar ministry from Jesus.