[ Today's Readings ]
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Jesus drives out demons by the finger of God. The Kingdom truly comes where he is present. Why do we look for ways to second guess this power when it is on display?
This is the nation that does not listen
to the voice of the LORD, its God,
or take correction.
Is it not because if it is the finger of God than we must not only accept the healing but also everything that Jesus says about who he is and who his Father is? Accepting this means big changes in our lives. This is true not only when we begin to walk with Jesus but also every time he reveals himself. Sometimes it is easier to call his power into question than to be open to change. Yet even though Jesus knows we are stubborn he continues to show us his power. He continues to invite us to deeper freedom.
Jesus has still greater spoils to distribute to us than we've yet received.
Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men" (see Ephesians 4:8).
The enemy was holding these gifts hostage. But Jesus has liberated them and offers them to us.
And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ (see Ephesians 4:11-13)
The gifts Jesus gives are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, now ready to be poured out upon hearts which are open to receive them. But receiving gifts such as these means we can't remain who we were. We can't remain where we were. It means that the Kingdom of God has come among us. We have to be a part of that. God wants to build that kingdom through us.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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