Evil is Strong; Jesus is Stronger
But when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. (Luke 11:22)
Luke 11:20-22; Matt. 28:18; Rom. 1:4 and 8:31,37; II Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 3:20-21 and 6:12; I Pet. 3:22
What Is God Saying?
Jesus just cast out a demon. There was no denying the miracle. The evidence was there. A man, who was dumb, now is talking and the people marveled (Lk. 11:14 ). The Pharisees could only try to discredit Jesus before the people, saying, ‘It was Satan who did it.’ Their blasphemous accusation is an indication of their desperation. Their power over the people was waning. Jesus was winning the people. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. ‘It happened,’ they said, ‘but the Devil helped Him do it.’ Jesus shows the absurdity of this by pointing out that a ‘kingdom divided against itself is soon brought to desolation as the house falls upon house’ (Lk. 11:17). Since Jesus is doing this ‘with the finger of God’ (Lk. 11:20) or by divine power, they and all who witnessed the miracle should know that ‘the Kingdom of God had come upon them.’
Jesus goes on, far from being in league with Satan, He is the mortal enemy of evil. Not only is He opposed to him, but He has subdued him. Instead of being Satan's tool, he is Satan's nemesis. Satan is a strong man guarding a house with formidable weapons. But Jesus has invaded the strong man's palace. He is stronger than the Evil One. He has stripped him of his armor. By a miracle of grace, He has freed those who are held hostage. Satan is strong but Jesus is stronger.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Satan does not relinquish his power easily. He is like a strong man who, fully armed, maintains peace. The souls of men are the contents of his house and under his protection, the contents are content. All is at peace. It is only when Satan's authority is challenged by a stronger power that trouble rises. Those who are held hostage by evil seem to be at peace, but they have an inner restlessness, a longing for true contentment, and a hunger for real freedom. When Jesus the ‘Lover of our souls’ disarms the ‘strong man who guards imprisoned souls,’ they lose their chains, walk out of the dungeon, and exchange false peace for real freedom. Evil is strong. Jesus is stronger.
Pray With Me
O God, I thank You for Him who is stronger. Jesus, my Lord, is stronger than all opposition. He is stronger than fear stalking its prey in the shadows of the unknown. He is stronger than worry pitching its tent in the long succession of tomorrows. I thank You for Him who is stronger. I thank You for His all-sufficient grace and His all-conquering power. Let my hope be grounded in Him. Let my heart be given to Him freely and fully. Then I will have no fear of that strong man who has held me as part of his spoils. Christ has come and Christ has conquered. By the power of the Cross He has entered the palace of the strong man. He has assailed him, overcome him, and taken away his fearful armor. ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
I would live as one who has been set free by a stronger hand. I would love as one who has experienced a love that is stronger than death. Because Jesus is stronger, so am I. Because He is Conqueror, so am I. May this be a day in which I will truly experience the joy of having a stronger hand beneath me, a stronger love beside me, and a stronger hope within me.
In the name of my Lord whose deathless love is stronger than all the powers of evil. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Let all our praying be done in the confidence that a stronger Lord has charge, a stronger purpose prevails, a stronger love is beside us and a stronger hope is within. And great answers are on the way. As Jesus is stronger than every evil, He can bring us every good ‘beyond all we ask or think.’
