Luke 4:38-44
When Jesus left church, He came to Simon’s house where his mother-in-law lay sick with fever. At their
request, He healed her. Consequently, many sick came to Jesus and He healed them all. He cast out
demons who shouted He was the Son of God. This increased promotion impeded Jesus from fulfilling
God’s purpose, so He silenced them. We often seek promotion and popularity at the expense God’s
purpose. Jesus was constantly struggling against the influence of crowds. Crowds tried to stop Him
from leaving, “But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was
sent for this purpose.’” (43). Let us guard against the influences of the crowd and popularity by
persisting in following God’s purpose.