My Lord and my God

In the synagogue was a man who had the spirit of an evil demon in him; he screamed out in a loud voice, ‘Ah! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are: you are God’s holy messenger!’

Jesus ordered the spirit, ‘Be quiet and come out of the man!’ The demon threw the man down in front of them and went out of him without doing him any harm. (verses 33-35)

Read Luke 4: 31-37

Most people did not recognise Jesus for who he was. That’s why on one occasion he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ (Matthew 16:13). There were plenty of opinions. Some said he was Elijah, others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Peter’s eye of faith, however, saw him for who he really was: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:16).

The demon world, on the other hand, always recognised him clearly, and what they saw made them tremble, because with him around they stood no chance whatsoever. They were doomed.

God has touched your eyes to see in Jesus your Saviour. You need never doubt the claim that he has over you. He has power over your sins, all your crying and dying, and he has set you free. That’s why you can join St Paul in saying, ‘I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me’ (Philippians 4:13).

Jesus, my Lord and my God, thank you for making yourself known to me. You did this at my baptism, and you continue to come to me as Saviour through your word of forgiveness and love. Amen.

by Len Tscharke, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)

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