Jesus Binds Satan and Sets Us Free
Mark 3:22-27
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Jesus miracles were undeniable. Everyone could see that people were being healed, and, incredibly, even those who suffered from demon possession were being set free. People were overjoyed. Well, most people were overjoyed.
Those who rejected Jesus saw His miracles as very bad news. They wanted others to dismiss Jesus as a fake. They wanted to keep their positions of power with the people and the Roman rulers. To them, Jesus was a threat. Why couldn’t they just be happy for the many people who found relief by God’s Grace through Jesus miracles? They couldn’t rejoice with them because they idolized their power. Therefore they were filled with hatred towards Jesus.
Since they couldn’t deny Jesus’ miracles, they took a different approach. They didn’t deny that the demon possession was real and horrible. They just claimed that Jesus cast out demons because He was one of them. They ridiculed Jesus and slandered the Holy Spirit.
Jesus pointed out that their claims made no sense at all. A divided house will fall. Satan will not cast out himself. But, what Jesus’ enemies had revealed was their own hatred towards Jesus and their own idolatrous love of power. Their sins against the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven.
Jesus had come to destroy the horrible rule of sin, death and devil in this creation. The Holy Spirit, who came upon Jesus in power at HIs baptism, bore witness to the love of the Father for the World in Jesus ministry. Ultimately, on the cross, Jesus bore the sin and sorrows of the world, and in His resurrection broke the bonds of the evil one forever.
Knowing Jesus through faith is a gift of God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one who still sets people free both now and forever. Though still maligned, the Lord Jesus calls all people to repentance and faith through His church. May God grant all people Grace to hear and faith to believe His good news.
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord for enduring the scorn of mankind and faithfully fulfilling your ministry for me. Help me through daily repentance and faith in you to find freedom and the power to walk in your steps. I ask this in your name. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.