Text: Luke 4:31-44
S. Epiphany 4.10 “Bad Publicity” Luke 4:31-44
They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but this Gospel makes you wonder about that doesn’t it? If there’s a case of bad publicity, this has got to be it. When the demons and unclean spirits are shouting out your power and glory and honor, it would seem to put off more people than it would pull in, wouldn’t you think?
Think about it: if the crooks and bank robbers and hookers and serial killers and lunatics from the asylum and fortune tellers and psychics from late night TV ads were the first ones saying how wonderful and powerful you were, it probably would not help you win friends and influence people, or get you a good table at the best restaurant or an interview for that elusive job now, would it? Surely the old saw must be wrong and there must be such a thing as bad publicity, yes?
But strangely, the answer appears to be “No! No, actually there is no such thing as bad publicity! Even though it came from demons and evil spirits (not a group that is much sought after by endorsers and advertisers, then or now) the Word on Jesus, the news of who He is and what He can do will pull people in, from far and wide…” Indeed, we see the people in the synagogue amazed and intrigued, but impressed from the start. And word spreads and people come flocking to Jesus from everywhere and no one wants to let Him leave town. No such thing as bad publicity…
You wonder what the man possessed by the demon was doing in church that morning in Capernaum? Was he regular member of the congregation? “Who’s that guy with the wild look in his eyes and the ripped clothing who’s always shouting and writhing on the floor?” “That guy? Oh, that’s Fred. He’s possessed by an unclean spirit. It’s kind of off-putting at first, I know. But he’s on the church council and other than that demonic stuff, he’s really a pretty nice guy, once you get to know him…” Yeah, right. I don’t really see that scenario.
More likely, I would think the man with the demon had wandered in off the street and wasn’t a regular in the congregation. One of those folks the ushers keep an eye on, who look like they could be trouble. This is the thing about Jesus. He always pulls a crowd, but it’s not exactly the demographic most advertisers and congregation outreach committees are after. The troubled, the sick, the disturbed, the demon possessed, the criminal and lunatic fringe are the early adopters of Jesus’ ministry. Not the most promising start, most of us would judge.
But this man is drawn to Jesus like a moth the flame. Jesus had been teaching in that synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbaths (plural) so the regulars and non-regulars had time to hear about Him. Word spread in town because the teaching of Jesus was unique, not like any other Rabbi. His word was with authority and was astonishing. There was something powerful in His Word that drew the demon possessed man that day to the synagogue.
And when he enters the congregation, he starts right in with the shouting at Jesus (not how most of the regulars respond to sermons, and one of the off-putting things about those with unclean spirits). “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth (notice how the demon possessed often speak in the 1st person plural)? Did You come to destroy us? Then singular, “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” It’s like the demon and his host both cry for Jesus to let them alone, but only the demon knows who He is.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown the guy around in the midst of the congregation (another off-putting thing about the demon possessed, the rolling around on the floor) it came out of him without hurting him.
And where you would expect everyone who’d come for the standard synagogue church service, preaching, and liturgy to be appalled at this point and go “Oooh! Ugh! Creepy! Don’t look, kids!” They surprise us and go “What a word this is! With authority, with power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out. Awesome! Cool!” And the word on Him spreads everywhere…
Jesus ducks out of the synagogue and goes to Simon Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever, and seeing what He could do with demons, they ask if Jesus can do anything about the flu. He can! He doesn’t use medicine or any conventional therapy. Just like He did with the demon, Jesus rebukes the fever, and it fled from Peter’s mother-in-law, got out of Dodge just like the demon. And she jumped up and served them (and don’t make this weird or political okay? It’s not about who should work in the kitchen, alright? It’s about how those healed by Jesus want to be in His service always, everywhere, men and women alike).
When the sun was setting that day (normal day for Jesus, pretty wild and extraordinary day in Capernaum where stuff like this just doesn’t happen) all those who had any that were sick with any ailment (natural or supernatural) brought their sick and troubled family and friends to Jesus and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. There were more demons (lots of demon possessed folks around at that time—like the demons had marshaled their forces for an all-out assault when the Son of God came among them in our flesh) and they all shouted out that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and instead of people being put off by the worst of the worst singing His praises, they flock to Him all the more and try to keep Him from leaving town. But Jesus says He must preach in other synagogues and does.
Which is why we might think there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Whether the Word comes from a demon or an apostle, the truth of Jesus cannot be muzzled or made anything less than awesome. The Word on Him will spread far and wide, from the most unlikely sources, and will pull a crowd.
But I do notice this: it is a congregation of the outsiders, the sinful, sick, prodigal—even the notorious lunatic fringe, that are drawn close to Jesus. While the respectable folks look on at a safe distance, and marvel at the power, it is the most troubled and distressed who are drawn closest to Him. And later, the respectable synagogue crowd that was so impressed at His power will begin to be uneasy about the demons’ familiarity with Him and wonder if He isn’t in league with them?
So, maybe there is such a thing as bad publicity. While Jesus draws an astonished crowd at first, only the sick souls, the troubled and tormented, will stick with Him through thick and thin, even to death on a cross. Personally, I would say Jesus has only bad publicity: publicity that is for the bad, the sinful, the prodigal sons. The Word on Jesus is ultimately offensive to the righteous Pharisee. Like He says, it is not the healthy who seek the Physician, but rather the sick.
Yes, for those who confess they are not well; for sinners, for us—the bad folks—the bad publicity of Jesus is the very best news we could have. It serves to draw us closer to Him, through scorn and shame, through cross and trial, snow and ice, to the One who breaks the darkness with the Light of Heaven, by the forgiveness of all sins and the Feast of His body and blood.
Still He is preaching in our congregation, not shunning bad publicity, but with power and authority He’s still driving out all the demons, all our darkness, bringing us into His marvelous Light, His Feast, where there’s Peace, surpassing all understanding, guarding heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Kevin Martin