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The strong man meets his match.

We live in a time of suspicion and distrust for authority which distills intricate societal and political dilemmas to solely an issue of power. Christianity has become a tool for the politicians and a crutch for the Christians who trust in the arm of man. Then we come to the Scriptures and read about the Jewish Messiah come to liberate not just Israel, but all of humanity from sin’s tyranny and invite the freed captives to an inverted counterculture. Same story! He was misunderstood by most, even His closest followers – even today. They thought it was national liberation He came to bring, a call to political action, rather than what it really was – a call to life in another realm, an insistence on personal renovation by wholehearted attachment to Him and His ways. His teaching came with authority – recognized by those without an agenda, but questioned by the intellectual elite of the day who would lose their superiority by succumbing to His radical message. His credentials are His lineage (a carefully curated bloodline), His fulfillment of prophetic prediction (about sixty messianic prophecies), His startling command of wind, sea, illness, and even evil spirits. That last one is where we land.

We read so casually about His control of the spirit world. Imagine actually witnessing such authority in action. Spirit entities were not confused about who He was.They were commanded, not invited to obedience as we are. Not a one off, numerous evictions were done without ritual and effort like the Jewish priests, with just His word. Yet despite such dramatic and repeated proof of His deity they were blinded by ideology. Offended by reality. And oblivious to the truth. “But if it is by the finger of God that I am expelling evil spirits, ‘then the kingdom of God has swept over you unawares’!” Are we still unaware of His kingdom? I sense a lesson for us here!

There is an undeniable dark force that is sweeping over humanity right now, and we are all affected to some degree. It accesses media, forming and reshaping our thinking to facilitate confusion and separation. There is pervasive polarization fueled by disdain and condescension. People are reduced to contemptibility for just one offensive or unapproved word or deed, eliminating the possibility of them having any legitimate ideas or actions. Remind you of anyone in the story? Capitalizing on our natural fears and lust for autonomy, politicians and publicists alike massage our algorithms to shape us to their world view. When someone dares to disagree, the personal ad hominem attacks begin. Is this not what happened to Jesus? “…some of (the Pharisees) said, “He expels these spirits because he is in league with Beelzebub, the chief of the evil spirits.” (Note: Beelzebub is a difficult name to analyze. It may come from a similar sounding word that means, “Lord of the Flies.” It was a harsh accusation. “It is by no means uncommon for people to resort to slander when honest opposition is helpless.” -Barclay) Not much has changed, apparently.

The strong man of Jesus’ day threw children into the fire, made people crazy, dumb, deaf, paralyzed, sick, and even possessed their bodies, pilfering their identity. That same strong man has an arsenal of carefully honed clever approaches to steal, kill, and destroy. Once again in our time we see him appropriating his first lie “Has God said?” by attacking the integrity of the Scriptures, asserting their inaccuracy and even denying their authenticity. This is despite prolific literary, historical, linguistic, mathematical and archaeological confirmation of their accuracy affirming the core Christian tenets. (There is room for perspectivizing peripheral issues and word usage, but God’s intention towards mankind is unassailable.) Good move on his part, as without revelation as a foundation we are left to speculation. He is free to confuse, contort, and subvert the character of God and draw sincere people into descending doubt. Combine that with the failings of the church, both in conduct and attitude, and such distancing from Christianity seems both logical and even ethical! But don’t leave Jesus! He is the stronger man, able to dispel the darkness and deception, worthy of trust in the face of uncertainty. But we, like them, resist – stubbornly embracing our doubt or perception, unaware of the abyss beneath our feet. Questions are fine, unbelief is fatal.

He gives us choice that was refused to the evil spirits. We have a narrow window, a fleeting opportunity to recognize and accept His authority over our being, or desperately cling to our illusion of independence. The latter is celebrated by a confused culture dead set against any interference to the quest for self-determination. Not a new story. “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

The Gospel could be stated: ‘Jesus is God. You are not. Recognize His integrity and embrace His authority over your life. Or perish (a consideration for another time).’ Jesus says it like this: “Can you see that I’m asking you to choose whose side you’re on—working with Me or fighting against Me?” (Voice) Who is your strong man?

PS After writing this I soon encountered another “unaware”: “Woe to you Pharisees! For you are like concealed tombs, and people who walk over them are unaware of them.” Another blog perhaps?

Shalom