I see it. Evil seems to be winning all around us. It’s hard. I don’t understand it.

But it’s not something new with our culture. Evil has been with us for a long time.

Matthew 2 details the fulfillment of the prophecy of “Rachel weeping for her children” as Herod slaughters countless male babies under two years old.

Babies.

I’ve wondered why God would let this bloody, horrific event take place.

So, like other times when I’ve been confused or dismayed by my understanding (or lack thereof), I hold tight knowing God is all good, and I keep digging in the Word.

As I think about that horrific act of Herod, I remember God calls Satan the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) and the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31).

Since the fall of man in the garden, the “whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).

And without Jesus, we are all dead in our sin, following this world and the evil one —“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience”. (Ephesians 2:1–2)

Without Jesus our minds are blinded by evil —“The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Cor 4:4)

Without Jesus, we are capable of every horrific act imaginable, inspired by the ruler of this world.

Jesus, Himself, called Satan the “ruler of this world” (John 14:30)

But!! In Christ’s death and resurrection, the decisive blow against Satan has been struck.

Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). In John 16:11, he says, “The ruler of this world is judged.”

Satan may have a time of temporary power, but he has already been defeated.

This passage does not say, “he will be judged” but “he IS judged “.

He will not get away with one thing!

And…

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.”…. “This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” see Colossians 2:13–15.

And THIS is why those who have been made alive by the blood of the Lamb, though we walk in a fallen world, can REJOICE in the RISEN SAVIOR knowing evil will not win!!

PS -I’m sharing what I had posted previously from Matthew and plan to continue on through this wonderful gospel. (This is day 4.)

readMatthew

TheKingisAlive

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