Our meditation today is entitled: Jesus as the Lord Who Casts Our Satan. Jesus' enemies once accused him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief demon. The accusation showed their spiritual blindness to who Jesus really was. They were unable to see that the power at work in Jesus was not an evil power, but the power of God Himself that brought salvation.
Jesus firmly replied that a kingdom divided against itself would not stand. That is, it is impossible for the demon to cast out the demon, because it means destruction for its own kingdom. Jesus' power comes from God, not from the source of darkness. Jesus shows that He is the Lord who rules over all evil powers. In every act of healing and expulsion of evil spirits, Jesus affirms the presence of God's Kingdom on earth. Every time He casts out demons, it means that light overcomes darkness, love overcomes hatred, and life overcomes death. God's power is beyond the power of Satan, for all evil is but a temporary shadow before the light of God's eternal righteousness. Satan can tempt, but it cannot overcome those who rely on the power of Christ. Satan once tempted Jesus, but did not succeed in subduing Him.
Since the Old Testament, we have seen how God has the power to defeat evil. The archangel Michael led the armies of heaven against the great dragon, Satan, and cast him out of heaven. This victory symbolizes that God never allows darkness to reign forever. In the New Testament, Jesus himself is the culmination of that victory. He overcame the power of sin and death through His cross and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the supreme proof that the power of Satan has been broken and that the light of God triumphs for all eternity.
The prophet Joel prophesied that there would come a time when the sun would darken and the moon would become blood—a symbol of the world's chaos and darkness due to the power of sin. However, in the midst of that darkness, God revealed His glory. He promises to pour out His Spirit to all mankind so that anyone who calls on the name of God will be saved. This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ who came to bring light to the world. He restored the order of creation corrupted by evil and opened the way of salvation for all.
Therefore, we who believe in Jesus are called to live in His power. We need not fear the temptations and deceptions of the devil, for Christ who dwells in us is greater than all the powers of this world. With faith, prayer, and a life united with God, we can also cast out Satan in a spiritual sense — that is, reject hatred, greed, envy, and all forms of heart-destroying sin. We win not because of our own strength, but because of the power of God at work in us.
Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O God, fill us with Your most high power, so that we may defeat all the deceptions of Satan. Glory to the Father andto the Son and to the Holy Spirit... In the name of the Father
