First, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' (31-37). Jesus went to Capernaum to teach and the people were amazed at his teaching because unlike the Pharisees, Jesus' words had authority. In the course of Bible study, a man with an impure spirit began to cry out. It was Satan's attempt at scaring the people and stopping Jesus from teaching the life-giving word of God. But Jesus was not at all intimidated. He rebuked the impure spirit, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' (35) Then the demon came out of the man with a great commotion. The people were even more amazed and word spread about Jesus' authority over demons. (36) Jesus is amazing! His words give life and drive out demons. Second, that is why I was sent (38-44). After the service was over, Jesus went to the home of Simon's mother-in-law who was in bed with a high fever. Jesus rebuked the fever and immediately she began to wait on them. By nightfall, people thronged to the house with their sick and Jesus healed them one by one. But he made it clear that his first priority was to preach the good news of the kingdom, and he moved on to other synagogues.
Application: Lord, thank you for Jesus the Messiah who came to preach the good news as of first importance. Help me to stay focused on the kingdom of God.
One Word: That is why I came