Daily Devotions
Matthew
The Power of the Spirit of God at Work
Text: Matthew 12 : 22 - 37
The charge of being in league with the devil was too serious to leave unchallenged and unanswered for too long. If the Pharisees felt that they could get away with such remarks, without being challenged by Jesus, they could get bolder and speak even more blasphemous things against Him. While Jesus would not be personally afraid of their remarks, nevertheless the weak-minded might be affected by these accusations! Thus Jesus pressed on and spoke the following words.
“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God,
surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Or how can one enter a strong man’s house
and plunder his goods, unless he first binds
the strong man?”
MATTHEW 12:28-29
Why had not the Pharisees considered this possibility? The power that Jesus manifested was obviously not of human origin. How could a human being wield such power against demons?
If Jesus did not wield power from Beelzebub, then there is only one possibility left to consider! He must be exercising the power of the Holy Spirit of God! If this is the case, then the Kingdom of God is indeed near at hand! In fact, it may even be said that “the kingdom of God has (indeed) come upon them”.
1. A special significance attached to the work of exorcism
a) Jesus saw the work of demons possessing people as special spiritual resistance
We have in the Gospels an unparalleled record of the work of demons. The work of demons possessing people was not recorded much in the Old Testament. (An evil spirit was said to trouble king Saul from time to time – 1 Samuel 16:14-15. This was allowed for by the Lord Himself. This does not mean that demon-possession did not take place).
Just about everywhere Jesus went, the demons seemed bent on manifesting themselves and their powers. Again and again, they were defeated by Jesus!
b) Jesus saw His work of casting out demons as an indication of the nearness of the Kingdom of God
He had preached often about the kingdom of God. He must also tell them that there was another kingdom and this one was marked by evil! Both kingdoms were diametrically against each other.
Surely the people must realize that two powers were battling each other as Jesus healed the demonized! Did they not realize that anyone could be possessed by demons? Surely they must desire to find safety and security in the kingdom of God?
The demon may be compared to a strong man. It would take a person much stronger to dislodge the strong man from his stronghold! Jesus was obviously far stronger than the demons! In Jesus there was every hope of overcoming the demons! Without Jesus, the demons will continue to wreak havoc in the lives of the people they possessed. They can cause muteness or blindness or both! Such is their cruel power! How marvelous it was that Jesus would offer help to overcome the powers of the evil ones!
2. A special work of the Holy Spirit of God
Two aspects of His work may be highlighted here.
a) The Invisible work of the Spirit of God
Even as Jesus taught the Word of God, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the hearers! This work might not be obvious to all, but it was nonetheless real.
b) The Visible work of the Spirit of God
Jesus appealed to the Presence and the Power of the Spirit of God evidenced in the casting out of demons from their victims. How could anyone miss this obvious truth? If they did, then Jesus must remind them of the fact that He was empowered by the Spirit of God for life and for ministry!
NO MIDDLE GROUND IN THIS SPIRITUAL BATTLE
There is no middle ground in this spiritual battle. There were many who were still wavering as to the decisions they should make. There were ample reasons for them to choose to be on Jesus’ side, but many had procrastinated. To help them understand the issue better, Jesus made an important statement.
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who
does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
MATTHEW 12:30
1) The Multitudes must decide
They had come so close to making up their minds. They had heard Jesus. They had seen Him perform many miracles. They had come to the point when they were wondering if He was the Son of David! They must not procrastinate any longer. It makes no sense to procrastinate at all.
2) The Pharisees must think through their decision
They had apparently chosen to go against Jesus. Where Jesus was gathering they were scattering. They must think carefully. Were they right in their decisions? Were they prepared for the consequences of attacking Jesus as they did?
3) The disciples must reaffirm their decision to follow Jesus
The disciples of course had already made up their minds. They had sacrificed much to follow Him. As they listened to this word, they must reaffirm within their hearts that they had made the right decision in following Him.
What solemn words these are! Where do we stand? With Jesus or against Him?