Spiritual Warfare

Sensing that an unholy alliance of Pharisees and members of Herod's party was plotting to take his life, Jesus left Capernaum. He withdrew, not for a private retreat (though he did that at other times), but to another place where he could teach. Here the crowds were even greater. More importantly, they included Gentiles.

The demons too are here, presented as beings in their own right, not as possessing people. They recognized a spiritual authority greater than themselves and called out his name not in worship but in an attempt to seize power over him. We have accounts in secular literature of similar events, where the exorcist uses the name of the demon to control him. Here it is the other way around, with the demons using the "name" of Jesus. But their attempts are futile.

Jesus' enemies are not only other human beings. He has spiritual enemies as well. He is not subject to any of them. Sure, they will put him on the cross--but on his terms, not theirs. No one will take his life from him; he will lay it down voluntarily (John 10:18). His authority was complete.

It was time for him to delegate some of his authority and to begin to train those who would continue his ministry after he was gone. First among the apostles was Peter, whom we know so well from his failures, and whom Jesus knew as "Rock."

Respond in Prayer

Dear Lord, I worship you as the Son of God. Thank you for your power over evil. I recognize that now it is our turn to take this ministry to people who don't know you. Be with all Christians everywhere in this spiritual struggle. Amen.

Kent Anderson