Twas the Night Before Easter
Hindsight, what do I think about Satan today?
When I was a little child I came face to face with a wolf at the sliding glass door of our home in Memphis (Germantown) Tennessee (some say there are no wolves and others report sightings in the 70’s, whatever the case, I remember the incident), and my nana pulled me quickly away. I don’t know what happened after that, other than I was safe.
I suppose I should have known at that point that I would go into shepherding people in years to come. Nonetheless, many years awaited that time. I couldn’t see what was ahead, and I had little hope.
On Saturday the disciples had no hope, seemingly. In fact, until they heard about the resurrection from Christ himself, they acted and spoke hopeless. Luke 24 is just one example where disciples walking with Jesus (without realizing it) share their despair.
The truth is that on Saturday of holy week Jesus went and declared his victory over the grave and Satan. Satan lost his power over this world. The only power he is given in this world is by those who believe his lies. Nevertheless, lies can be quite powerful.
The point of the conquering of the grave was not merely to deal with death, but so much more. Satan was cast out at the cross. He lost his power. He was chained for a very long time, and the battle we face with the wolves he brings our way is whether to believe lies about his power or to turn to God and trust in Christ.
I’ve come to face wolves along the way since that day in Tennessee, just of a different type. The truth is that they have no power. They cannot have any more power than is given them. They are not in themselves powerful. Truth overcomes. It sends the devils away and we are safe in Christ.
Even from the wolves in sheep’s clothing the church is safe if they will but tend to the Word and not to some so called extraordinary anointing. While writing this little post, I received a text from a well-meaning man in our community who speaks as if everything is staked on Easter services tomorrow. It’s not. The work is finished and nothing depends on us to save this world. We simply declare the victory in Jesus Christ. He takes care of the results.
Easter Sunday is special for many reasons, but it isn’t because we are going to do anything extraordinary, it is because God already did.
