"Jesus Exercises Divine Omnipotence-Even Over Demons"
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [Amen.]
"Your hand, O Lord, in days of old Was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed over ills and death, O'er darkness and the grave.
To You they came, the blind, the mute, The palsied and the lame,
The lepers in their misery, The sick with fevered frame."
(Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
846:1)
Gospel Reading.................................... St. mARK 1:29-39 (esp.
32-34, 39)
32That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed
by demons. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34And
he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many
demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and
casting out demons.
Prologue: We learned in our catechetical studies that prepared us to confirm
our Baptismal faith and properly partake of Holy Communion that "attributes"
are "qualities or characteristics" that "tell us what God is. God is each
of these, all of these, and more than these attributes." (Luther's Small
Catechism with Explanation. Copyright © 1986, 2008 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis, MO. Pages 122 & 107.)
When we studied the Apostles' Creed we discovered that there are
thirteen such attributes that answer the question, "Who is God?" "In His
Word God has told us that He is A. spirit (a personal being without a body);
B. eternal (without beginning and without end); C. unchangeable (immutable);
D. almighty, all-powerful (omnipotent); E. all-knowing (omniscient); F.
present everywhere (omnipresent); G. holy (sinless and hating sin); H. just
(fair and impartial); I. faithful (keeping His promises); J. good (kind,
desiring our welfare); K. merciful (full of pity); L. gracious (showing
undeserved kindness, forgiving); [and] M. love." (Ibid. Pages 105ff.)
Information in the Second Article section reveals the "qualities
or characteristics" of Jesus Christ as true God. When considering His
divine nature one of the proofs is that He "possesses divine attributes . .
He is 1. eternal (without beginning and without end); 2. unchangeable; 3.
almighty (omnipotent); 4. all-knowing (omniscient); [and] 5. present
everywhere (omnipresent)." (Ibid. Page 122.)
Did you notice that there is some overlap between the attributes
of God and those of Jesus Christ as true God? The one that's especially
emphasized in today's Gospel Reading becomes known in the fact that .
"Jesus Exercises Divine Omnipotence-Even Over Demons."
Now, that sounds much like last weekend's sermon in which I
emphasized that "Jesus Exercises Ultimate Divine Authority." Divine
authority and divine omnipotence have some similarities. At the same time,
they are distinctly different from each other. You see, authority is
tantamount to right, influence, or clout. On the other hand, omnipotence is
ultimate might, strength, power, or control. With that clarification neatly
tucked away, let's turn our attention to the first miracle Jesus performed
in today's Gospel Reading . a "sign" with which He demonstrated that .
I. Jesus Is Our Great Physician. (29-31)
29And immediately [Jesus] left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon
and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a
fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31And he came and took her
by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to
serve them.
There seems to be a lot of illness going around these days. Many
of us here this [evening/ morning] (including yours truly) have already been
or are presently plagued by physical illnesses this winter. Pastor Marks
referred to Seasonal Affective Disorder in his sermon two weeks ago . an
emotional illness that many people experience due to the decreased amount of
light during this current season. It was formerly called the winter blues
or winter doldrums. But whatever it's called the fact is it's real and,
depending on its severity, can be either mildly or strongly debilitating.
It, along with the common cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia,
asthma, and other physical sicknesses make it difficult, if not impossible,
for many among us to function well. Add to those relatively minor
infirmities the more serious ailments of cancer, heart disease, high blood
pressure, osteoporosis, dementias of various types, diabetes, anxiety
disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's and other neurological
disorder, and, well, you can add your own ailment to this unending list that
can cause us to be unable to perform even the simplest of our normally daily
tasks and activities.
Well, that was the case with Peter's mother-in-law . she was sick
to the point of being bedridden. By the way, don't miss that evidence that
Peter was married. After all, that's the only way a man can have a
mother-in-law. Therefore, how could he have been the first Pope (or even a
priest) in the Roman Catholic Church, which prohibits priests from being
married? Well, I digress.
What's especially important to realize is that this healing
miracle by Jesus along with the one that happened before it in a synagogue
that we heard about last week and one that would occur afterward out in the
public for anyone to witness all "illustrate Jesus' healing ministry and
they happened on the Sabbath." Even though "This miracle of healing was
less public than the synagogue exorcism, . it gave the closest followers of
Jesus a further proof of His authority." (Donald Guthrie in Jesus the
Messiah: An Illustrated Life of Christ. Copyright © 1972 by The Zondervan
Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI. Pages 73 & 75.) Notice also that "Jesus .
lost no time in performing His work of sympathy. Going to her couch, He
lifted or raised her up by taking hold of her hand. At the same time, He
rebuked the fever . and it left her at once. And her full strength was
restored to her in a moment, for she was able to arise and serve them all,
especially Him, to whom she owed her recovery." (Paul E. Kretzmann in
Popular Commentary of the Bible: The New Testament Volume I. Copyright ©
Unknown Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Page 169.)
It seems rather obvious that Jesus was exemplifying His
instruction to His disciples when He told them to "Heal the sick, raise the
dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons." (Matt 10:8 ESV) In addition, it's
quite apparent that His healing miracles were fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy
about the Messiah that said, "In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a
book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind
shall exult in the Holy One of Israel." (Isa 29:18-19 ESV) So it was that
whatever the case may have been, the fact is that "All marveled at the
healing power of Jesus." (Donald Guthrie. Page 75.)
Perhaps the people sang in joyful gratitude then what we spoke in
the Introit today, "I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt
bountifully with me. Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my
eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, 'I have prevailed
over him,' lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in
your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation." (Ps 13:6,
3-5 ESV) Or maybe they thankfully sang the Gradual that we've been and will
continue responsively speaking throughout this Epiphany season, "Praise the
Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love
toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Ascribe to the
Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!"
(Ps 117:1-2a; 96:8 ESV)
Most importantly is that "Fevers and grievous diseases of all
kinds are an uncanny power, their very mysteriousness often renders them
baffling and fearful. But Christ is stronger than all powers of
destruction." (Paul E. Kretzmann. Page 169.) In fact, He's stronger than
death itself which is the ultimate ailment. For He not only experienced
crucifixion death on Calvary's cross to atone for our sins, but He also
defeated death with His majestic resurrection from the dead to give us
life . eternal life . glorious life . life free from all the sin-brokenness
sicknesses, diseases, and disorders of all kinds . life as He originally
created it in Adam and Eve, who had perfect health before they sinned . life
with glorified bodies in His very presence in heaven following our earthly
sojourn.
The Holy Spirit gives us glimpses of that present possession and
future reality when today we hear and read God's Holy Word, reflect on the
meaning and significance of Holy Baptism, revel in the forgiveness that we
hear declared in Holy Absolution, and properly partake of Christ's body and
blood that are really present in the consecrated bread and wine of Holy
Communion. Through those most wonderful means of grace the Holy Spirit has
"called [us] by the Gospel, enlightened [us] with His gifts, sanctified and
kept [us] in the true faith" even as "He calls, gathers, enlightens, and
sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus
Christ in the one true faith." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation.
Pages 17 & 147.) So, as we make our way through the trials and
tribulations, heartaches and despairs of this present life, let's
faithfully .
II. Follow Jesus' Example of Giving Prayer the Priority Position.
(35-38)
35And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed
and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and
those who were with him searched for him, 37and they found him and said to
him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38And he said to them, "Let us go on to
the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."
Now let's get prayer straight. Unlike what many wrongly believe,
it's not necessary for informing God (remember His attribute of
omniscience . He knows everything), neither can it control or manipulate Him
(remember His attribute of omnipotence . He is almighty, all-powerful).
Rather, as stated in the 1943 Synodical Catechism, "Prayer is an act of
worship wherein we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips
and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him." (A Short Explanation of Dr.
Martin Luther's Small Catechism: A Handbook of Christian Doctrine.
Copyright © 1943 by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Page 146.)
Prayer is a way of praising and glorifying God . honoring Him as the one
true God, who manifested Himself to us in the person and work of Jesus
Christ.
It is, therefore, most important and vitally beneficial that we
"pray to the true God only, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not to idols,
saints, or anything God has created." In addition, "In our prayers we
should ask for everything that tends to the glory of God and to our own and
our neighbor's welfare, both spiritual and bodily blessings. We should also
praise and thank God for who He is and what he has done." Further, with all
that in mind, "We should pray A. in the name of Jesus, that is, with faith
in Him as our Redeemer; B. with confidence, that is with firm trust that for
Jesus' sake our prayers will be answered; [and] D. according to God revealed
will." confident that "God hears the prayers of all Christians and answers
in His own way and at His own time." Finally, "We should pray for ourselves
and for all other people, even for our enemies, but not for the souls of the
dead. We should pray everywhere, especially when we are alone, with our
families, and in church. [And] We should pray regularly and frequently,
especially in time of trouble." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation.
Pages 175-179.)
That's why prayer is a major part and portion of our Divine
Services . taking up much space and time. That's why we delight in such
prayer activity even though it sometimes gets lengthy . because it's
praising and honoring almighty God. That's why we prayed in today's
Collect, "O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith
that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by
Your mighty power . ."
That was the significance of what we heard Isaiah declare in today's
Old Testament Reading, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord
is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not
faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to
the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths
shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who
wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not
faint." (Isa 40:28-31 ESV)
In conclusion, Saint Paul encouraged us in today's Epistle
Reading, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only
one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete
exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as
one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control,
lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Cor
9:24-27 ESV)
Let's be diligent about safeguarding our physical bodies with
proper diet, exercise, and rest. And, let's be likewise, even moreso,
diligent about safeguard our souls by hearing and reading God's Holy Word,
daily remembering and reflecting on Holy Baptism, faithfully gathering
together with His saints in public worship, properly partaking of Holy
Communion, and frequently, even ongoingly, communicating with God in prayer.
When, due to the devastating effects of sin, we experience
physical, mental, or emotional, ailments and especially spiritual weakness
and distress, let's recall with Spirit-given trust that .
"Jesus Exercises Divine Omnipotence-Even Over Demons"
As we do so, let's never forget and always remember that ...
I. Jesus Is Our Great Physician. (29-31)
As such, He works His miracle of physical healing through the
medical professionals, medications, and machinery that God has provided for
us. And, He works His miracle of spiritual healing through the means of
grace that God has mercifully provided for us. So, let's tirelessly .
II. Follow Jesus' Example of Giving Prayer the Priority Position.
(35-38)
Let's do so, knowing that God loves to be honored with our prayers,
and He will answer them in the time and way that He knows is best for us .
be that here in time or hereafter in eternity.
God grant it all for the sake of Jesus Christ, His humble Son, our
holy Savior. [Amen.]
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
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