Matthew 12:22-29: a reflection

22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you. 29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

When Jesus heals a man oppressed by an evil spirit, blind and mute, and his opponents accuse him of doing it by the power of the prince of demons, Jesus exposes the absurdity: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand; Satan would not cast out Satan. And then he draws the true conclusion: If I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God's Kingdom has come upon you. Christ's authority over the powers of evil was a sign that God's kingdom had arrived; the strong man was being bound, and his house plundered.

Notice what Christ's authority over evil signified: the coming of God's kingdom. When Jesus cast out the evil spirit by the Spirit of God, it was not a trick or a work of darkness; it was a sign that God's kingdom had come, breaking the hold of evil. The strong man was being bound, his captives set free, his house plundered. Christ's authority over the powers of darkness showed that God's reign was breaking into the world, overcoming the evil that had held people captive. The kingdom of God had come upon them in the person and work of Christ.

That is worth taking to heart, for it means that in Christ, God's kingdom has come, with authority over the evil that holds people captive. We can feel that the powers of evil are unopposed, that darkness has its way unchecked; but Christ's authority over evil shows that God's kingdom has come, and that the strong man is being bound. Take heart that in Christ, God's kingdom has come, with authority over the powers of evil; he binds the strong man and sets his captives free. Do not despair as though evil were unopposed and its hold unbreakable; Christ has authority over the powers of darkness, and in him God's kingdom has come, overcoming the evil that held us captive. Rest in the authority of Christ over evil, the sign that God's kingdom has come, binding the strong man and freeing his captives, as Christ cast out the evil spirit by the Spirit of God and declared that God's kingdom had come upon them.

Lord Jesus, when you healed a man oppressed by an evil spirit, blind and mute, and your opponents accused you of doing it by the power of the prince of demons, you exposed the absurdity: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand; Satan would not cast out Satan. And then you drew the true conclusion: if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God's Kingdom has come upon you. Your authority over the powers of evil was a sign that God's kingdom had arrived. Show me what your authority over evil signified: the coming of God's kingdom. When you cast out the evil spirit by the Spirit of God, it was a sign that God's kingdom had come, breaking the hold of evil. The strong man was being bound, his captives set free. Your authority over the powers of darkness showed that God's reign was breaking into the world. Take that to my heart, for it means that in you, God's kingdom has come, with authority over the evil that holds people captive. I can feel that the powers of evil are unopposed, that darkness has its way unchecked; but your authority over evil shows that God's kingdom has come. Help me take heart that in you, God's kingdom has come; you bind the strong man and set his captives free. Keep me from despairing as though evil were unopposed and its hold unbreakable; you have authority over the powers of darkness, Lord. Help me rest in your authority over evil, the sign that God's kingdom has come.