Who rules?
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs (Mark 5:13a).
Do you ever wonder why things happen to you? Things like sickness, a scary diagnosis, a tragedy, a loss of someone close, a broken relationship. If God is on our side, then how is it that these things happen? And not just to other people but to you? Does God rule or not?
It’s puzzling when bad things happen to God’s own. When Jesus heals the lame, the blind, the deaf and the dumb and drives out evil spirits from one who is possessed, he demonstrates who is in charge. Sickness, disease and brokenness aren’t in charge, and the demons don’t rule. Death isn’t the winning card because Jesus trumps that.
In today’s reading, it is clear who is beholden to whom. The evil spirit boasts in his name, ‘Legion’, but by giving Jesus his name, he surrenders to a higher authority. And he ‘begs’ Jesus not to drive the legion of spirits out of the area. Notice ‘begs’. And again, the spirits ‘beg’ Jesus to send them into the pigs. ‘He gave them permission.’
In yesterday’s reading, we saw God’s intention – his will – for all things to be whole. For you to be whole. Jesus’ healing demonstrates how things are when God reigns completely. Things are in harmony. We are in harmony – with God, ourselves, each other and all creation. For evil to rear its head, it needs permission (compare Job 1:6–12). But notice where the final authority lies: it lies with Jesus.
Yes, we wonder why some things happen – why we have to go through such difficult times. Why that particular thing seems to almost possess us. But Jesus has the authority. With him in front of you, any evil thing has to deal with him first.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us [Martin Luther’s hymn: A Mighty Fortress]. Amen.
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