A Spiritual Super Bowl

A Spiritual Super Bowl: The Authority of Jesus' Word vs. the Devil's Deceptive Tactics

Jan 28, 2024 – 4th Sunday after the Epiphany | Mark 1:21-28 ESV

Does Jesus’ Word Have Authority for Our Lives?

The highly anticipated Super Bowl is set to ignite fervor, promising to anoint the supreme football victor while, hopefully, quelling the incessant banter from both teams and their fervent supporters. Beneath the verbal fireworks, the true examination unfolds on the field, where actions will undoubtedly eclipse mere words, establishing genuine authority and credibility.

A Clash of Titans: The Devil vs. Our Savior

In a parallel storyline drawn from today's Gospel text, a profound battle ensues between the Father of Lies, the devil, and Jesus Christ, the eternal Savior. This conflict transcends the superficial hype of the Super Bowl, unfolding not through mere words but within the depths of our hearts and minds.

Whose words wield influence in our lives? Whose counsel do we follow? To whom do we listen with authentic reverence?

The Historical Struggle with Fear

The historical struggle with fear comes into focus, commencing with the tragic shift in allegiance by Adam and Eve. Initially, they held reverence and love for God. A pivotal moment occurred when they deemed the tempter's words more authoritative than God's. The repercussions were severe, leading to disobedience, estrangement from the truth, and forfeiture of joy.

Contrastingly, the narrative in the first-century synagogue in Capernaum presents a divergent outcome. Jesus, the Incarnate Word, triumphs, sending the devil into retreat. This event solidifies whose word can be trusted, instilling genuine reverence and fear in our hearts.

A perplexing scenario unfolds at the outset: a man possessed by a demon is discovered in the synagogue. Despite the demon's awareness of Jesus' power and the prominence of God's Word in the assembly, the devil audaciously infiltrates. This audacity underscores the peril of entities unafraid of God's Word or presence, hinting at a self-deception that he can defy Jesus and God.

This audacity challenges Christians to question whether sanctuaries provide immunity. Reflecting on the Book of Job, where the devil boldly enters God's presence, reminds us not to underestimate the temptations and disturbances that the forces of wickedness might attempt, even within our Christian communities.

The Devil's Deceptive Tactics

Examining Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, Mark recounts how the devil, undeterred by the knowledge of Jesus as the Son of God, tempted Him for forty days. Even in the intimate setting of the Last Supper, as recorded by John, the devil entered Judas during the meal (John 13:27).

Acknowledging the reality and potency of the devil and his accomplices becomes crucial. Described by St. Peter as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, the devil operates with ferocity, particularly targeting God's sheep wherever they gather.

As Christians, naivety becomes a luxury we cannot afford. The devil's most potent weapon isn't merely the power to harm our bodies. It is his deceitful tongue, challenging the authority of God's Word and attempting to erode our faith, exposing us to divine wrath.

Jesus' Authority is Our Proactive Defense

Rather than being oblivious to the devil's cunning, we must be proactive in resisting him. Following Martin Luther's teachings on baptism, we should consistently defend those baptized into Christ, recognizing them as not only children of God but also adversaries of the devil. This requires vigilance, resisting the devil's advances, and engaging in continuous prayer, seeking God's protection through His Word and Sacraments.

Our fear should extend beyond the devil's destructive power to a rightful fear of Jesus and His authoritative Word, which possesses the power to defeat the devil and save us. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus' role in destroying the devil's power over death.

In the Capernaum synagogue, the demon recognized Jesus' true identity and power, acknowledging Him as the Holy One of God. When commanded by Jesus, the demon had to obey, leaving the possessed man convulsing.

Discern the Source: Why Authority Matters

One might question why Jesus swiftly silenced a demon who confessed the truth about His identity. Despite the accuracy of the demon's statement, Jesus chose to muzzle it, signaling that the source of a statement matters, highlighting the need to discern the true source of spiritual influence.

Through His teaching and from His holy lips, Jesus clarifies a truth known to demons but not often feared or trusted by humans. This truth is that Jesus, God in human flesh, has come to save those enslaved by sin, death, and the devil. By expelling the demon through the power of His Word, Jesus unmistakably demonstrates that He "taught as having authority, not as one of the scribes."

Truth gains vitality and credibility only when uttered by one who embodies truth. Consider attempting to be taken seriously while wearing a clown suit, whether addressing a child or an adult. Recall the cautionary tale of the boy who falsely cried "Wolf!" too many times; when the wolf finally appeared, no one believed him.

Confronting Defiance with the Authority of God's Word

In our contemporary context, devilish defiance, fearlessness, and arrogance prevail. As the Holy Scriptures declare, "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Governments craft their own rules, often in open defiance of biblical teachings. People, even those professing to be Christians, live contrary to God's Word.

To avoid assuming superiority over those rejecting God's Word, we must introspectively question the authority His words hold in our lives. Consider the following questions:

If we neglect His Word, what authority does it truly have for us?
When faced with our mortality, why does our mind search for assurance in our achievements rather than clinging to God's promises in the Gospel?
If we consistently regarded Jesus as the Holy One of God, as even the demon acknowledged, would we feel so at ease ignoring His Word and being in His presence?

Liberated in Christ: Victory over Accusation

Just as with Jesus, it is crucial to understand that He is not safe in the conventional sense. He is the eternal and almighty God, the sovereign King of heaven and earth, clothed in the flesh of your own flesh. He stands as the ultimate judge of all humanity. Yet, simultaneously, He is the exclusive Savior, the only one capable of rescuing you.

Through His Word, as demonstrated in Capernaum, Jesus dispels the demons that aim to tempt, possess, and enslave you. In His very person, Jesus has disarmed the devil, infiltrating the stronghold and seizing the devil's possessions by becoming the sacrifice for your sins, absorbing the wrath of God.

Your sins have been fully atoned for by Him, and in His mercy, God forgives all your weaknesses, offenses, and guilt for the sake of Jesus. The devil, stripped of his power to accuse, is compelled to flee. His words of accusation, malice, and temptation hold no sway over those in Christ Jesus by faith.

Truly, Jesus is not safe in the ordinary sense; He is our Savior. Therefore, it becomes imperative for us to listen and obey His Word with utmost reverence and fear, recognizing it as the singular authority in our lives. Amen!