Verses 1-15
-
To follow God and live well, we must how to resist the enemy, obey God, and have self-control.
-
James 4:7 says, “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Jesus shows us, practically, how to submit to God resist the enemy effectively.
-
Resisting the enemy means resisting temptation to sin, and obeying the Word instead.
-
The devil flees from believers that are greatly obedient to God. Become greatly obedient to the Word if you want to overcome the devil!
-
-
How do we do this? Jesus shows us two things:
-
Knowing the Word is necessary for resisting the devil. Always grow in knowledge of the Word and how to apply it.
-
Many believers don't know the Word very well, and this makes it easier for the enemy to deceive them into doing wrong.
-
-
Fasting (disciplining the flesh) is necessary to build self-control for resisting the enemy and avoiding sin (Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
-
Fast and pray on a regular basis to grow stronger against sin and temptation.
-
-
-
See teaching on Matthew 4 for more details.
-
Verse 14. Understand that fasting and being obedient to the Word is the way to power in the Spirit—power for all kinds of works that are great for the expansion of the kingdom.
Verses 16-30
-
Verses 16-21. Jesus used a passage from Isaiah, a prophecy about His coming, to preach to Nazareth (His home town) that He was the Messiah.
-
They doubted Him because they always knew Him as just an ordinary man and a relative of theirs.
-
Verse 22. Understand that relatives, or the people that you grew up around, will often be the hardest to reach. But, as Jesus did, share the truth with them anyway. They need to hear it as much as anyone else.
-
-
Verses 23-27. Since Jesus just worked many miracles elsewhere, it would seem that He should be able to do the same in His own hometown. Right? But Jesus gives us an example of an important truth revealed in the Old Testament—in the story of Elijah and Elisha.
-
There are many people that need healing. But prophets or messengers of God are often not sent to those who will not receive them.
-
In many cases, people stay unwell or unsaved not because God doesn't want them to be saved, but because they will not receive the one that God sends.
-
Do not try to help absolutely everyone. Understand that some people will waste your time.
-
-
Jesus exposed to the Nazarenes that they would not receive Him, just as their forefathers did not receive Elijah and Elisha.
-
And after these words, they did exactly what Jesus predicted they would do—they rejected Him, and even tried to kill Him.
-
-
Don't be afraid to be bold with those that don't receive you because you're family. If they will not receive the Word of God from you, it may be necessary for you to bring correction to them for their hardness of heart. Be open to this kind of task.
-
Trying to preach the Word more may be waste of time, but bringing a rebuke can be important.
-
-
-
See teaching on Mark 6 and Matthew 13 for more details.
Verses 31-41
-
Jesus did not allow demons to speak, and He cast them out with a single word.
-
He did this so that He could continue serving God without interruption from the enemy. Do not be distracted!
-
-
Don't toy with demons and don't let them toy with you. If you have to cast out a demon, be short and bold.
-
All authority is in Jesus' name (Matthew 28:18), and through His name we also have authority (Luke 10:19). Have confidence in that authority!
-
Jesus also healed sicknesses with a single word or rebuke.
-
Pray for the sick with your confidence in God alone, not in yourself!
-
-
Verses 42-44
-
When working to help others, make sure that your time is balanced. Don't give so much time to one person or people that you neglect others. Work to be treat people equally.
-
Just as Jesus, we have been sent to help others come into the kingdom of God. Remember this, and do everything with the intent to bring glory to God!
-