Thursday, January 20, 2011
MIGHTIER THAN THE DEMONS
The last few days we've had opportunity to witness some of the miracles of Jesus through the inspired accounts of the Gospel writers. These have been just a few of many recorded miracles. These miracles furnished ample proof that Jesus was the Son of God. These miracles were the reason that they also brought a man who was demon possessed to Jesus.
"Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'" (Matthew 12:22-23).
The man they brought to Jesus didn't just have a physical handicap. He wasn't just blind and unable to speak. He was also under the control of a demon, an evil angel. While demon possession isn't a common method of attack for evil spirits today that it was then, we can be sure that Satan and his hordes are still making every effort to interfere with the Kingdom of God. The Pharisees wanted to "nip in the bud" this talk that Jesus was the Son of David, the Christ. So they claimed that Jesus was in cahoots with the Devil.
Far from showing that Jesus was in cahoots with Satan, demonic expulsions showed that the Great King had arrived and was establishing His Kingdom. In casting out demons, Jesus showed he was greater than the strong man.
"Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house." (Matthew 12:29).
A strong man, one who with his mighty men is carefully guarding his house, cannot be robbed of his things unless he is first defeated and bound by another. We are, by nature, under the Devil's control. We needed someone to come and defeat Satan and set us free.
He is called the second Adam, and God promised that he would come to crush the head of the Serpent (Genesis 3:15) and deliver those under his power. When He cast out demons, Jesus proved that He is mightier than Satan, and that He is that long promised "head crusher."
He is our deliverer. Yes, and as our deliverer, He deserves our unquestioned love and allegiance. We belong to Christ. We are servants of God.
May the Holy Spirit, who has dethroned Satan from rulership in our hearts, also embolden us to serve Christ our King in truth, in word and in action -- to the glory of His Name. Amen.
