July 6, 2008
Background Scripture: Luke 4:31-37; 20:1-8
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 11:1-3
If you have visited the Holy Land, you almost certainly have been to Kapher-Nahum, which in our Bible is rendered as Capernaum. This was the city that served as the headquarters of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Although born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, more than any other place, he considered this his true home.
Today, it is an archaeological site much visited by pilgrims. In Jesus’ day, Capernaum was a busy fishing harbor and Roman military post on the important trade route between Damascus and Jerusalem.

Capernaum was also the home of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee – all part of his inner circle of disciples. The house of Peter probably served as his headquarters and it was here that Jesus was regarded as “at home,” as well as the site of many of his healings and teachings (Matt. 8; Mk. 1; 2; Lk. 4; Jn. 4).

Visitors are shown the partially-restored ruins of a fine Jewish synagogue. First unearthed in 1865, it was believed to be the one where Jesus taught. But in 1905, excavations indicated it was built no earlier than the third century A.D., although it probably occupies the same site as the one in which Jesus taught, astonishing the locals with his aura of authority.

Dealing with demons

It may be tempting to skip over the account of Jesus casting out an “unclean demon” from a man in the synagogue because the concept of demons may seem out of step with the scientific sophistication of our times.

Although demons are rarely mentioned in the Old Testament, they abound in the pages of the gospels. The Jewish exiles probably brought back the belief in demons from their exile in Babylon and Persia. These beliefs were helpful to them in dealing with experiences of sickness, injury, misfortune and death. Demons were recognized as the enemies of God and humankind, and needed to be exorcised.

Just as 21st century physics has opened the door to a seemingly subatomic immaterial world, so contemporary research may provide us with a framework within we can conceive of human realities that transcend the physical limitations of the body – for example, prayer, worship and healing as nonbiological realities that reach beyond the physical limitations of the human mind.

Our concept of the supernatural (contrary to nature) may be replaced by that of the supernormal (contrary to our normal experience of nature) world. In other words, beyond the world of experience bounded by the five senses and the reason, there is something more, realities both good and evil.

And, whether or not we believe in demons as actual beings, most of us have experienced in our lives that which we may call the “demonic.” (Anyone who works with a computer should find it easier to believe in demons, while those who have received the gift of redeeming love have experienced the angelic!)

What is this word?

Demons, however, are not the focus of this episode in Capernaum. Jesus is the focus and he is revealed as the one whose authority is indisputably superior to the demonic.

The demons know him: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Jesus replies, “Be silent, and come out of him” and the people watching “were all amazed and said to one another ‘with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out’” (4:34-36).

Yes, we need to concentrate upon the power of Christ, rather than our fear of the demonic. Yet, we should not conclude that people saw him as authoritative because of the exorcism alone. Note that it was before the exorcism that the crowds were “astonished at his teaching.” The exorcism was a convincing display of his authority, but his teaching alone amazed the people and drew them to him as the one who spoke for God.

I, too, am amazed and astonished at the powerful authority of Jesus when I open my life to him as my teacher and savior. In his presence, the demonic doesn’t have a chance.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.