Mat 12:28-29  But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  (29)  Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Just thought it’s interesting how the deity, authority, and omnipotence of Christ is consistently challenged. Whether it be a cult, individual, or scoffer, they all take their shot and diminishing the power of Christ. For example, the preceding verse depicts Jesus challenging the Pharisees and their allegations that He was casting out demons by the power of demons. This is typical of those who wish to dismiss or even worse deny what is truly the work of the Spirit.

The strong man’s house is plain to see as the house of the enemy himself, Satan. Many take this verse and misconstrue it into a prescription for binding Satan and binding his evil spirits/works upon them. But that is not what this passage “plainly” states. If we look at Scripture, we can see how easily the strong man’s house can be understood as being the enemies’ in this context (2 Cor 4:4, Phi 3:19, Eph 2:2)

Jesus’ powerfully proclaims His deity in the statement, “…kingdom of God has come upon you” and promptly places the Pharisees and their accusations in their rightful positions, which just so happens to be error. The Gospel of Luke echoes this very same statement (11:20). Jesus makes His point apparent, at least in a plain reading. Jesus asks them (Mt. 12:27) to account for who among them casts out demons and by what name do they do so? So Jesus states a powerful tangible here, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God…” then they are basically in a whole lot of trouble, for the kingdom of God has come upon them!

So here’s the thrust of this passage. We have assurance in the power of Christ. No doubt He has asserted not only His authority (Spirit of God), and His strength (Mt. 12:30), but His grace for those who follow and attribute to Him all glory and honor! Jesus has bound the strong man, plundered his house and taken what was his (Us). Anyone else who would say otherwise and blatantly deny what Christ says is obvious and ignore the forgiveness of sins by the Son of God stands and stays condemned (Mt. 12:32).

A reflection of the past can often stir a range of emotions. Venturing into this state can be positive or negative. In my personal experience I can testify of the struggle that occurs in my life and mind as a believer. The past plays a major part of how I’ve imagined the future, and ultimately has been a determining factor of how my future has played out. On a positive note, there can also be a positive resolve and hope for the future. Remembering the past, viewing the present, and seeing the future through the grace of Christ stirs the emotions of rejoice.

I once heard an adage that said, “We get better, but the wreckage of our past will show up one day needing resolution.” In those times the most trying aspect of the experience becomes a battle with selfishness and lack of control over my future. These battles come as a result of my own heart’s desire to be the sovereign ruler of my life, and the ultimate judge of the direction it goes.

The proverbial phrase, “I wouldn’t trade that experience for all the money in the world” applies here. As I often cite this, I also often wonder if I could give the past back, would I? A resounding no often follows as I am grateful for the path I’ve had to tread in order to wind up at the foot of the cross. I trust my Lord would’ve brought me through any other circumstance and at His feet no matter the trial, but am glad that grace was the end result either way.

1Pe 4:1-7  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  (2)  so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.  (3)  For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.  (4)  With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;  (5)  but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  (6)  For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.  (7)  The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

As I’ve meditated on the thoughts provoked by this particular text, I’ve considered the freedom I enjoy now and see no point in sorrow over the disasters of the past that stir the brokenness of an old man and an old heart. Simply stated, no matter the former the latter is greater, for it is filled with the hope that is in Christ Jesus. The patience (Gal 5:22) provided from the Lord through His spirit has created the resolve that allows one to view the past with an optimistic lens and persevere forward with purpose, but only is that purpose realistic when its worked out through living and proclaiming the Gospel.

Isaiah 40:18-19  To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains.

Scripture illustrates man’s propensity to create his own suitable standards. We value our way so much that even our standards as followers of Jesus Christ, start to become negotiable. When we find ourselves in this trap, we quickly begin making God like us, and in this we transgress His law (Exo 20:3-5). We begin to appeal to our own autonomy. Our defense and logic generally results in a self-righteous sentiment, “but God is loving, and understanding.”

Jesus spoke with a rich man who asked what was required of him to inherit eternal life (Mk 10:17-22), the Lord demonstrated the measurement by which men are evaluated and spoke to him of the law. But this man had great possessions, self-righteousness, and a trust in human attainments rather than Godly gain. But God’s love and understanding said (v21), “sell all that you have,” lay down your riches, follow me.

A scribe zealously assured that he would follow wherever the Lord went (Mat 8:19-22). And faithfully, those who approach Christ receive the ‘love and understanding’ of God. He draws out the truth of his motives by showing his utter lack. Following Christ wholly is dependent upon setting our affairs in order first. Man’s agenda to live life in accordance to man’s autonomy is minimized by Christ’s words, “let the dead bury their own dead.”

It is possible for Kingdom citizens to demonstrate faithfulness, realization of truth, and a casting out of dependence. Casting aside the old man we establish a desire to exchange our ways for Gods. The believers in Asia, under the instruction of the Gospel learned a better way. Their dependence upon magic arts and costly books quickly became irrelevant and they burned them, disposing of the foundation they once held dear, despite their cost, and established a new level to build upon (Acts 19:17-19).

All man is counted as dead in trespasses and sin (Eph 2:1-2), and in his innate desire to worship something, has chosen idols in the place of God. Man has chosen autonomy that supplants the statutes of the Most High and casts out any need for dependence upon Him. But who is wiser than God? Who consults of themselves and receives counsel more worthy than the Lords (Isa 40:13-14)?

We must ask ourselves if our watches are stopped at a pivotal time in our own history. Is the mystery of God made known to us? Have we heard the voice of the Son of God and now live (Jn 5:25)? Or do we seek status in the Kingdom without subscribing to its requirements?

The rich man was dead, and subject to his idols. The man burying his father was dead and subject to his idols. The book burners were dead, but they heard the voice of the Son of God, received life, and cast out their autonomy, their choice to follow man’s ways, his knowledge, his books of wisdom. With Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, the answer to idolatry is cost counting. Has God’s love and understanding set you free from your chained idols, who are dead works of man’s hands? Or are you still autonomous?

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, renew in me a right spirit, cast aside my transgression, and illuminate my path with your righteousness. Lord, let my ways be your ways. Let me worship you and seek your will. Let me strive to follow you, the Good Shepherd. I do not want to be bound to the work’s of my mind or man’s hands, but to your word.

Matthew 10:12-13 As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

When you visit someone, do you greet them or bless them?

What unworthiness would necessitate the withdrawal of a blessing? The immediate context appears to be hospitality or households refusing to take in the disciples (Mat 10:9-10), provide sustenance for them, and give tribute worthy of their meat (Mat 10:11). But what ministry from these messengers cause them to be worthy of the gift of meat?

Note, the phrase peace to you in the scriptures as a greeting, come from the Lord after he has been resurrected (Luke 24:26, John 20:19-21, and John 20:26). But curiously,  peace to you occurs only once in the Old Testament from the mouth of a servant to Joseph’s household, “Peace be to you, fear not…” (Gen 43:23). Without promoting a false understanding of prosperity, health, and riches, and the subsequent security that comes from financial provision, one can see plainly the provision God has given to the children of Jacob through the hand of Joseph, by means of Egypt, which is an interesting provision for Hebrews indeed.

The Lord gives instruction for those who will not receive or hear the disciples’ words (Matthew 10:14) “shake off the dust of your feet”. Are their words simply a blessing or greeting given when one comes or goes in a household? As the Lord continues, where there is rejection, they are to shake the dust from their feet. When Jews would travel from Gentile lands back into the holy land, they would shake their dust from their feet because of its unworthiness to enter the land. But, it is the lost sheep of Israel that the Lord is sending the disciples to (Matthew 10:6).

The Lord then pronounces condemnation on the rejection they will inevitably receive on this mission. He says it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city (Matthew 10:15). Ultimately, they have rejected the Christ.

The peace being brought into these homes is the peace that Christ brought to the disciples when they were locked away in fear and trembling because of the Jews. This peace is the news that the Father has sent the Lord Jesus, as he sends us. And this peace is the same that greeted the doubting Thomas who was convinced from witnessing the risen Lord.

The punishment Sodom and Gomorrah received was not due to their lack of hospitality, as some may have claimed. We know that they received punishment because of their wickedness, and received death the first time, and eternal punishment slated for the next. They however did not receive the peace of the gospel, the glorious news of a resurrected savior from the mouths of those who are witnesses thereof!

Looking at Mark 6:12 or Luke 9:5-6, we see the message the disciples brought, the peace given unto others in their homes and towns, was the message that men should repent. Whoever rejected this message, rejected the Messiah, the one who issued the command and who came with authority from on high. This rejection of the Christ is a testimony against them.

We preach Christ and him crucified. We rejoice in the power of him resurrected. And, we bring peace to those who receive it, believe it, and are baptized into his body.