Day 062, Saturday, Oct. 12
Matthew 10:1 – 12:21 Read it here
Have you ever wished you could do magic?
I’m not talking about the sleight-of-hand of a stage magician or card tricks at a party, but real magic, changing the rules of matter and energy to make things you want happen.
It’s a common wish.
Think of all the superhero stories that Hollywood churns out. They might not use the word, but they are stories of magic. Most of the superheroes have some magical abilities that let them do what mere mortals can’t. It’s never unlimited, so the stories are about how they get around whatever limitations they have in order to use their magic.
Even things we don’t think of as magical we often treat as magical. We might dismiss a fairy tale where the princess uses a love potion to attract her true love…but how much do we spend on cosmetics and even medications we are convinced will make us more attractive and more worthy of love?
How many people are convinced that if their candidate is elected they will suddenly have a better job and more money and crime will go away and all will be well with the world?
Sure, cosmetics and medications and elected leaders all have things they can accomplish—but the reality seldom lives up to the expectation.
In chapter 10 we read of something that sounds wonderful and magical. The 12 disciples are sent out into the world by Jesus, equipped with the ability to do great things: “to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Why, then, do the chapters that follow take a dark turn?
In 12:34, Jesus says, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Those are unexpected words from the Prince of Peace.
In 12:15-21, Matthew writes, “Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.’”
Superman might be able to redirect the comet that an evil genius has put on a collision course with earth, but he can’t remove evil from the heart.
A loved one might be healed today, but we still occupy fragile bodies that have only a limited time on earth.
An evil spirit might be cast out, but it has lots of allies still at work.
Jesus came to bring peace, but scripture makes it clear that sin and evil and violence and death won’t give up their grip on the world easily.
Freedom from captivity, whether you’re a slave in Egypt or overwhelmed by the challenges of life today, is promised. Hold on to that hope, even when it takes longer that you would like it to. Don’t mistake fleeting pain for permanent defeat.