{"id":22785,"date":"2024-12-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/tuesday-3-december-2024-the-revd-ruth-whitehead"},"modified":"2024-12-03T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T06:00:00","slug":"tuesday-3-december-2024-the-revd-ruth-whitehead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/tuesday-3-december-2024-the-revd-ruth-whitehead\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday 3 December 2024 The Revd Ruth Whitehead,"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tuesday 3 December 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

St Luke 4: 31 – 37<\/strong><\/p>\n

He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, \u2018Let us alone! 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.\u2019 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, \u2018Be silent, and come out of him!\u2019 When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, \u2018What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!\u2019 And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any of us who have suffered from mental ill health might struggle with this description of Jesus casting out an unclean spirit from this man in Capernaum. But before we turn the page and hurry away, let\u2019s see what the experience is of the man who is unwell.<\/p>\n

Jesus relieves him of his suffering, and he emerges whole and unharmed. This is a miracle – the first miracle Luke records \u2013 a miracle of healing and a sign of the total authority Jesus commands. Perhaps it helps to look at the miracle and not get too bogged down in the language of unclean spirits. <\/p>\n

We could define any miracle as \u2018a thing causing wonder\u2019: the healing Jesus offers fills us with wonder and makes us long to know healing for ourselves.<\/p>\n

Luke tells us that the people of Capernaum are struck by the authority of Jesus\u2019 teaching \u2013 and then they see the authority and power with which Jesus heals this man\u2019s affliction. Jesus is the one whose teaching and healing is delivered with both care and authority. <\/p>\n

There is something about the way Jesus speaks to the man which produces the miracle of his healing: he speaks with authority and power. <\/p>\n

We who follow Jesus should not shrink away from speaking with the authority of the one we follow. When I was deep in the throes of postpartum psychosis, my healing began with the authoritative words of my minister \u201cyou will get through this\u201d. To be reassured, to be believed in, to be spoken to with confidence and authority made a huge difference to my healing.<\/p>\n

We should not speak out against medical advice or advise people to turn away from professional help: but what we say can reinforce a journey of healing by speaking authoritatively of God\u2019s care and the presence of the Holy Spirit as comforter, as revealed by Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord God of all that is good,
we thank you for Jesus\u2019 authority over illness.
Give us, who follow Jesus,
the courage to speak with his authority,
and help each other to wholeness.
In the name of Jesus. Amen<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tuesday 3 December 2024   St Luke 4: 31 – 37 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he … <\/p>\n

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