The Victory
Matthew 12:29 has been a favourite scripture of mine for many years.
“… how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house”
Jesus had just delivered a demonised man who could now both see and talk for the first time. Pharisees challenged Jesus that He was actually the leader of all demons (Satan) to have this kind of power over them.
But Jesus’ response is that He has entered the strong man’s house (this fallen world which lies under the spiritual control of the devil) and tied up (bound) the devil. Because the devil has been tied up, Jesus is saying, He can take his possessions (people held in sin and darkness). Delivering the blind mute was an example.
How are we to understand this binding of the devil? I see it like the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. There was an indication of surrender shortly before the official surrender, but it was later still before all hostilities in Europe ceased and every German soldier laid down their weapons.
Jesus’ victory in the wilderness over Satan’s temptations was unprecedented. Satan knew he was defeated. As Jesus, and then His disciples, cast out demons, the devil was powerless to stop them. Jesus’ authority overwhelmed his. The cross was a massive seal over the devil’s end. Now every true follower of Jesus could take Jesus’ authority against him and his demons. The devil continues to fight and won’t stop until his final destruction when Jesus returns. He does everything he can to stop Christians understanding their authority, and everything to keep those who don’t know Christ in darkness.
To listen to this message, download in MP3 here