God is more powerful than Satan

March 24, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Lamentation 7:23-28 & Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

God’s power is more powerful than Satan’s. Jesus set free to those troubled and oppressed by the evil spirits. Jesus himself experienced personal opposition and battle with Satan when tested in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Luke 4:1-13). He could overcome the temptations of the devils through his obedience to the will of his Father. Some Jewish leaders responded fervently to Jesus' healings and exorcisms, protesting with malicious slander. How could Jesus receive the power and authority to free individuals from Satan's power? Their thoughts were that he had to be in league with Satan. Therefore, their attribution was that his power came from Satan and not from God.

Jesus affirms that the kingdom divided against itself cannot survive for long. We have enough civil wars to prove the destructive force at work here to destroy whole peoples and their land. How can a strong person be defeated except by someone stronger? If Satan lends his power against his forces, then he is finished.

Jesus declared his power and authority to drive out demons as a clear demonstration of the kingdom of God. Jesus' reference to God’s finger points back to Moses' opposition with Pharoah and his magicians who represented Satan and the kingdom of darkness (Exodus 8:19). Jesus declares to be carrying on the tradition of Moses, whose miracles liberated the Israelites from slavery by the finger of God. God's power is evidently at work in the exorcisms which Jesus performed, and they give evidence that God's kingdom has come.

Let’s ask for the graces so that the power of God may protect us. If we are the people of God, we have to renounce the ways that lead to sin.

What sin do you want to give up today?