The Gospel of Luke 4:23 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.” (Luke 4:23 KJV).

In the midst of His home folks’ skepticism, the Lord Jesus said rebuking them: “So He said to them, “You will no doubt quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal Yourself! Whatever [miracles] that we heard were done [by You] in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well.’ ”” (Luke 4:23 AMP). The Lord revealing their sarcastic thoughts basically coax them to say it. The proverb "Physician, heal thyself" is a common saying, implying that doctors should heal themselves first before healing others. That’s what the cynical mind of these people thought of which the Lord brought to the open urging them to say it.

The Lord is reacting to His hometown's skepticism. He has claimed to be the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Luke 4:16–21). In response, the people spurned it, treating Him as nothing more than another Nazarene boy, like any other they have known (Luke 4:22; Mark 6:1–4). Sensing this resistance, the Lord Jesus knows exactly what will come next: a demand to see a miracle. They may have heard about His miracles in Capernaum, as described in other gospels. Mark's account of this incident implies Jesus had already performed a few healings in Nazareth as well (Mark 6:5). And yet, when He starts to challenge their beliefs, the people will want something even more spectacular.

Demanding for miracles to be performed before believing, is what this folks were preconditioned to behave. This is of no wonder that the same attitude we can still observe in many lost souls of today. Some say they have faith but with the attitude of “let me see first then I believe”. But, the truth is - it is only by believing in the only begotten Son of God that one can see. Scriptures say: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). And to those who believe then and now, it is written: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31-32 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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