02/03/2025
After the transfiguration, Jesus cast a demon out of a man’s only son. His disciples couldn’t do it, but Jesus did. The people “were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men’” (Lk 9:43-44). In the midst of celebration & awe over the power of God to deliver & save as revealed in Jesus, Jesus tells of His impending humiliation. Seems strange at first glance…until we recall Jesus’s mission & purpose. Jesus did not come to simply cast out a few demons & deliver a few people. He came to defeat Satan & all his minions, opening the door to deliver all people from sin & death, to make it possible for all people to leave the slavery of Satan & enter the freedom of the family of God. That victory is only won thru submission & sacrifice, thru denial of self & taking up of our cross. Submission & sacrifice, self denial & cross bearing—therein lies true victory & celebration. Will we walk in true victory & celebration today?