Verse 31 Capernaum is on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. Scan your page with your phone and check out the map of this area so you can see where Nazareth was in Galilee and where Capernaum is. This is pronounced kah-per-num.

Verse 32 The people in Capernaum were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because he spoke with authority. He wasn’t just reading or teaching information. He was proclaiming the kingdom of God. There was weight to his words. Conviction. A commanding force. A working power that transcended the consciences of those listening.

Verse 33-34 This is interesting that a man possessed by the devil is found in the synagogue where the teaching of God’s Word happens and where worshippers of God spend their time. Again, we must always be watchful and aware that the devil is lurking and waiting for a vulnerable, opportune time to pounce. Even during Bible study or in church. Notice the devil says “Go away! Why are you interfering with us…”. (NLT) Us. There are several demons at work on this earth. And they all know and believe that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God, the Holy One of God. You see the devil calls Jesus out as such.

Verse 35 Jesus’ rebuke is quick and with authority. “Be quiet!” (NLT) “Be silent…” (ESV) Jesus stopped his mouth from saying another word and forced the devil to be silent against his will.

With one last act of defiance, the devil throws the man down to the ground and then leaves him. This is exactly what the devil does to us when he has us; he hurts us. He tries to break everything in us by forcing us to the ground with anger. The devil wants to destroy us and use us as an instrument he can influence and manipulate to hurt others. But Jesus’ grace supernaturally protected the man from being hurt and that’s exactly who Jesus is. Our Shield. Our Protector. Our Grace. Our Healer. The devil cannot hurt us anymore that Jesus allows him to. The devil cannot do us any real harm.

Jesus controlled and conquered Satan by His power to cast the devil out. Today, Jesus still controls and conquers Satan and is here to destroy the works of the devil.

Verse 36 The people could not doubt this miracle that just occurred. They were amazed! No one was going to deny that that just happened. People had come before claiming to be able to cast out demons but they could not. Jesus actually performed it.

You will see Jesus always lives up to His Word and performs it. He can never be found a liar or a fabricator. He does what He says He can do. This should reassure us as we read His Word. His Word does not return void. (Isaiah 55:11) If He said it, He will do it. This is why we should get to know His Word and pray it over our lives. “He will make all things new.” (Isaiah 43:19) “He will give me a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ezekiel 36:26) “He heals the broken-hearted.” (Psalm 147:3) “He restores what is lost.” (Joel 2:25, Deuteronomy 30:3, Jeremiah 30:17) “He provides for his children.” (Philippians 4:19) “He shields us under the eagle’s wing.” (Psalm 91:4)

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Verse 37 Word about Jesus’ healing is spreading fast now throughout the land.

Prayer: Jesus, you are amazing. Even the devil knows you are amazing. He calls you the Holy One of God. You are the Messiah, my Savior. You hold the power to shut up demons. Help me to live with that kind of awareness and authority to shut up the devil in my life when he comes to tempt me. He cannot take control of anything I won’t allow him to. Help me be quick to rebuke and shut him up instead of entertaining his ideas and letting that stir me up emotionally to get involved in his work. Thank you for your word that teaches me and stretches me to live more and more like you. Thank you for your supernatural protection over my life. You are my Shield. My Protector. My Grace. My Healer. And I trust what you allow from the devil so that I may honor You all the more by displaying Your power and authority when I shut his tactics up. You are my Conqueror, trampling over the enemy. With the power of Your Word and Your Holy Spirit, Jesus, I have that same authority over the devil living and breathing in me. I am more than a conqueror over what comes my way.  (Romans‬ ‭8:37‬) I don’t have to live defeated by the devil. Thank you for your supernatural protection over my life, Jesus. The devil cannot do me any real harm. You always live up to Your Word, Jesus. If You said it, You will perform it. I can rely on You. All my trust is in You. Thank You for Your Word that I hold in my hands, God. It will never return void or empty. It will always produce fruit and accomplish its purpose. Help me to live in the power of Your living Word, Jesus. Amen.