March 2 | Luke 4:38-44
- Dave Mann
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
An Amazing Kingdom
By Dave Mann
In this passage, Jesus shows us what the kingdom of God is like. He is proclaiming the truth and waving high the banner of the kingdom of God. He is preaching with authority. He is showing compassion and power by healing the sick and by casting out demons from the afflicted. In all this, the people are amazed. Why? Because the kingdom of God is different from the status quo.
The work of the church today is still the same – teaching the truth of the gospel and accomplishing works of love and healing. We proclaim good and true doctrine and execute sacrificial ministry. We help others through ministries of compassion with prayer for healing and deliverance. All of these are signs of life – in the teaching of the Word and in deeds of love.
Jesus gives us a picture of the coming kingdom of God, which is disease-free, demon-free, with truth proclaimed and believed. The demons and disease obeyed Jesus then, as they obey him now, that is to say, according to his sovereign will. We, his followers today, do not have Jesus on a leash, getting him to perform according to our timetable. But we announce his truth and we lead the suffering to Jesus the king. We pray and Jesus does as he wills. Some of the healing comes through what we call science; some comes through prayer. All healing comes through the sovereign rule of Jesus.
When we preach, we do not merely present well-crafted and entertaining messages. When healing is experienced, we do not merely apply medicines developed through a laboratory, nor do we only display amazing miracles of healing and deliverance through prayer. When we organize ministries for the provision of food, clothing, and shelter, we do not merely help people so that society will hold the church in high esteem. No, it is not for our glory that we do these things. Rather, it is for the glory of the King. It is for the expansion of the kingdom of God.
When we proclaim truth, we confront falsehood. When we display compassion, healing, and deliverance in the name of Jesus, we confront pain and suffering. By following Jesus, we scatter the darkness of the kingdom of the Enemy. We speak and act so that people can see that the coming kingdom of God is about truth and love, free of disease and demons.
We proclaim God's kingdom in word and deed. We seek to make Jesus famous.
PRAYER
Lord of all power and compassion, thank you for the privilege of being included in your kingdom – both that we ourselves are set free from the kingdom of the Enemy and that you include us in the work of the expansion of the kingdom. May your kingdom come soon in its fullness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.