Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article This present darkness Thursday, December 9, 2010 Matthew 11:12 When Jesus heard John had been imprisoned, he spoke to the crowds: "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force." A few years later, Paul wrote, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:11-12). Although I don't see these battles, I feel them. This way of looking at things helps explain selfishness, addiction and premeditated cruelty. I am helped along the path to narcissism and isolation by nasty, nearly unheard whispers. Just decibels enough to get inside my brain. How did Jesus do battle against these spiritual forces? There was nothing small or weak in his response, but he never seemed to protect himself against the attacks of men. "There is only one enemy," he seemed to say, "and it is not my brother." Never. No matter how it may seem. So in the long view Jesus' death resulted in resurrection. The kingdom of heaven was not taken by force. A stronger force resisted. Love is stronger than death. Life out of ashes. Come for all of us. And again and again you show us how to die, thus how to live, Lord. Always the ashes and then ... the glory. "; Add      Edit    Delete