What do you know that we don’t?
by Rev Dr Noel Due
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And behold, they cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ (Matthew 8:29).
Read Matthew 8:28–34
Yesterday’s devotion reflected on Jesus’ deeds and words of power. We saw that his deeds included the freeing of people from demonic forces, as well as healing from their diseases, and that his words explained the nature of God’s kingdom.
In today’s passage, we see another example, perhaps the most dramatic of all, in which Jesus expels demonic powers. When he draws near, the forces of darkness are forced back.
One of the most remarkable elements of this truly extraordinary account is that the demons recognised Jesus’ true nature. This is in sharp contrast to his disciples and to the crowds, who are repeatedly shown as being dull of heart and spiritually blind (for example, Luke 18:34).
In other words, the demonic forces knew something the rest of the world didn’t.
That, in part, explains why Satan and the forces of darkness were so intensely active during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Even though, for example, the Book of Acts covers almost 40 years, we see only a fraction of the demonic manifestations there when compared with the three years of Jesus’ public ministry.
Why might this be? Because the powers of darkness mistakenly believed that if they could destroy Jesus, they would overthrow God and rule the universe. So, they threw everything at him, all the time. They knew he was not only Jesus the Nazarene but also Jesus the Son of God. That’s why they tried every trick in the book.
They even thought that by aligning all the forces of human greed, political cowardice, religious pride and human betrayal, they could put him to death.
But the outcome was not as they expected.
Though the powers of darkness planned the cross as Jesus’ destruction, God planned the cross as Jesus’ exaltation and our salvation.
This should give us great comfort. Though the forces of wickedness are opposed to God, to his Son, and to the people of the Spirit he has brought to birth, none of their deeds or schemes will prevail.
As Martin Luther’s great hymn says:
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing …
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us … one little word shall fell him.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of Jesus, the Son of God, and King of Heaven. Thank you that he has overcome the greatest of our foes and that their schemes cannot prevent your reign and rule in our lives. Help us to live in the truth of Jesus’ victory over the evil one. Amen.
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