COV LIFE BLOG

Mark 5:1-20 Christ’s Power and Authority Over Evil

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is sovereign even over demons. The Lord Jesus Christ is sovereign even over the forces of evil. Even in His state of humiliation. Even in His state when He walks through this world as our Prophet, Priest and King bearing our infirmities and sorrows and suffering on our behalf, He is sovereign over the forces of evil. 
 
The Lord Jesus’ power and authority, hence, is seen even in the requests of the demons. Even the demons know they must request of the Lord Jesus Christ. the demons acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, and they know that He has the power of final judgment or torment. They know that the lake of fire awaits them. They don’t deny that. Their only concern is the timing of the matter. 
 
This is an important testimony, for instance, to the sovereignty of God. It’s an important testimony to the sovereignty of Christ over the forces of evil. Even the demons know that Christ has the power of torment. He has the power of the keys. And this is not an isolated example in the Bible. 
 
In Genesis 50:20, we learn that though Joseph’s brothers meant it for evil, God meant it for good. God is sovereign. Christ who rules us, rules all things for us. And this reminds us that Christ is more powerful than all the forces arrayed against us. That’s an important thing to remember when the news has just come to your door that a little boy has died; when the news has just come to your door that there has been a tragedy in a high school and a sick young man has killed fellow students. And that’s an important thing to remember when the word comes that a dear friend has been in a horrible automobile accident and there is paralysis. And that’s an important thing to learn when you face the horrible difficulties of living in a fallen world. God is not out of control. God will rule and overrule for your good.
 
Turn with me in your hymnals. Martin Luther understood this. Martin Luther taught us, in the third stanza of A Mighty Fortress is our God:  “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure,  for lo! His doom is sure, one little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”  Our Christ is more powerful than all the forces arrayed against us. Never forget it. It’s very tempting, isn’t it, in this world to believe the forces of darkness are stronger than the forces of life. Don’t believe that lie. Christ is sovereign.

Ligon Duncan

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read Mark 5:1-20 and consider the greatness of Christ in that he has such power even over the spiritual forces of this world. How does this give you comfort and strength in the face of life and challenges that come your way?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
Our Great God by Casey Darnell