February 15, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ‘Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” (Luke 4.33-34)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

It may simply be the “story” eye that I have which allows me to see connections between story and life. Reading the gospels in parallel helps us get a bigger picture of the life, times and ministry of Jesus. It also helps us to see our connection to the Word of God and the ministry we have been created to complete in the world. This ministry, individualized to meet the variety of needs in the world together as one “people of God” for “God’s people,” is our purpose. It is also how we bring honor to God and bring honor as a fragrant offering to Him with thanksgiving. In Jesus, the fullness of this ministry was exposed to the world. In Him we have our true identity as the “people of God.” As we collect ourselves together in one body with Christ as the head of the body, we begin to reflect the full measure and stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4.13) To see the full measure, we are given a look at the broad expanse of the paradigm of Jesus’ ministry. An example of this is the parallel stories of Jesus in synagogue. The first story, as we reflected on previously, happened in Nazareth where Jesus was not received as well because He refused to perform to their desired standards. He did not because He knew they would not receive it as the fulfillment of His purpose. That purpose was to bring in the lost of Israel from north to south, Galilee to Judea, into one place before God. It equals His teaching to the leaders of the Temple, “The well, or righteous, have no need for a doctor. I have come to seek and to save the lost.” (Mark 2.17; Luke 5.31)

When we get to the end of this pericope of “synagogue,” we find ourselves in Capernaum which would become the homebase for Jesus and the disciples. The response to Jesus’ teaching ministry there was different. The people did not ask for healing miracles there. However, in the midst of the synagogue was a man possessed by an evil spirit. We must note that if he was in the synagogue, he was accepted as a man who had the right and privilege to be there. It was probably not known that he had an evil spirit. It was the presence of Jesus that evoked his response “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” Again, there is this question of Nazareth being brought to the forefront. It is not a compliment but an accusation. This time, however, the question is different from what happened in Nazareth. While word of the incident in Nazareth most likely reached Capernaum, it would have been Jesus’ response to it that could be the issue. Jesus, if you remember, ignored the threats of His family friends and neighbors. Instead of rebuking them with a word, He walked through them and out of the city. Most likely He was heading to Capernaum. We may hear the foreshadowing of instruction to the disciples where Jesus said, “Whoever does not receive your word or does not accept you, shake the dust off your feet and leave.” (Matthew 10.14) Jesus was speaking from experience.

Jesus responded to the accusation in Capernaum by rebuking the demon in the man saying, “Come out!” The demon immediately complied without hurting the man. The people marvelled. Jesus went on to Peter’s house and there healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Soon, the street was filled with people seeking healing because they believed in His words and works. Jesus then announced He couldn’t stay there because He was called to minister to others. He would go on to other synagogues from Galilee to Judea. There was no threat to Jesus. There was gratitude, encouragement and spiritual prowess with humility on the part of both Savior and saved, Shepherd and the sheep. The same must be said for the Church today in its ministry. The Church cannot be intimidated by either the opinion of the world nor of the temptation of the enemy in the spiritual realm. The Church must reflect the fullness of Christ. The Church must be bound by the Word of God. It must declare its purpose to make disciples in and of all nations. It must preach the Good News and promote the cause of salvation. It must confront the enemies of God’s people and transform them to be “the people of God.” The Church must not be deterred from its mission to lead others to the throne of God in confidence and in humility.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.