David Bahn – Reflections

^{Mark 3:22-27}

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” ²³ And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

I was in high school, driving my dad’s Chrysler–a fairly nice car with a V-8 engine. And for some reason I decided that I would follow someone–and I mean really follow him. It wasn’t long before he realized what I was doing and decided to take matters into his own hands. Somehow he got behind me and I was being followed–closely! When I turned up a dead-end street he had me. It turned out to be a fellow high school student: older and a real rough character. I don’t know whether he had a knife or a gun, but he was the type who might have. I was scared! Somehow he was satisfied with scaring me with menacing looks and verbal threats and warnings before letting me go. I decided that I would not play that game anymore.

There are certain things you learn not to do; following cars with unknown drivers is one of them. So is breaking into a strong man’s house before binding him according to Jesus. Stop and think of the image Jesus uses here! These are radical and illegal actions! What is the point here? Is Jesus condoning breaking and entry, assault and plundering?!?

In the case of tearing down Satan’s kingdom, that’s exactly what he is talking about. In this age of pacifism and non-violent conflict it seems quite improper to use such imagery. But when we are speaking of Satan’s house we must understand that it’s not properly his house. He has usurped his power and Jesus means to get it back. Make no mistake: Jesus will take on Satan–even on his own terms. He will prevail over the strong man. Satan’s kingdom is coming to an end. It’s just a matter of time.