Having lived in Idaho and Montana for many years we were used to confrontation on the road. Other places have traffic jams, so did we!
There were times we would wait for herds of deer and elk; at other times we would fall in behind a cattle drive. We’ve even experienced the occasional confrontation with a band of sheep but most intimidation came from the bison in Yellowstone and the grizzlies in Glacier.
The road to the cross didn’t have any of these but there were confrontations all the same. Yesterday we saw the people in Jesus’ hometown becoming so angry with Him that they dragged Him to the edge of a cliff.
Now that’s confrontation – but it didn’t stop Him for preaching.
“Jesus went to the town of Capernaum in Galilee and taught the people on the Sabbath. 32 His teaching amazed them because he spoke with power.” Luke 4:31-32 CEV
In Capernaum, He encountered a man possessed by a demon. The man was prompted to cause a scene; he yelled out at Jesus telling those around that this was God’s Son.
“Jesus ordered the evil spirit to be quiet and come out. The demon threw the man to the ground in front of everyone and left without harming him. 36 They all were amazed and kept saying to each other, “What kind of teaching is this? He has power to order evil spirits out of people!” 37 News about Jesus spread all over that part of the country.” Luke 4:35-37 CEV
Confrontation isn’t always a bad thing. God used this situation to show His power and His compassion.
When Jesus left this meeting He went to the house of Simon for dinner. Once again, He was confronted with a situation that needed His attention. Simon’s mother-in-law was running a high fever and lying in bed. Before doing anything else Jesus spoke to the fever and it left the woman.
“ So Jesus went over to her and ordered the fever to go away. Right then she was able to get up and serve them a meal.” Luke 4:39 CEV
After dinner there was an even greater encounter.
“ After the sun had set, people with all kinds of diseases were brought to Jesus. He put his hands on each one of them and healed them. 41 Demons went out of many people and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But Jesus ordered the demons not to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.” Luke 4:40-41 CEV
All who came to Jesus, He touched and healed. He silenced the demons. Don’t let this go unnoticed. Jesus didn’t want or need their affirmation. He didn’t want anything that would discredit the works of God.
“ But something more important than John speaks for me. I mean the things that the Father has given me to do! All of these speak for me and prove that the Father sent me.” John 5:36 CEV
Jesus said, even the testimony of John the Baptizer wasn’t as important to His calling and ministry as the works that the Father was doing through Him. His credibility and reputation were established by the Father. Nothing else.
We may not be confronted by a bison, or a demon possessed person, but we face other confrontations that are even more dangerous.
“ Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. 17 The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.” I John 2:16-17 CEV
When confronted we should do like Jesus, speak to the issue, and then go forward by God’s power and not our own.