exactly what we need, when we need it.

"Jesus's encounter with evil in the form of unclean spirits is fundamental to the Gospels' portrait of Jesus" (81). I feel like this fundamental aspect of who Jesus is, is often skipped over in modern church settings...at least it was when I was in junior high and high school, and I would venture to say even now. Of the four worldviews that DJ talks about, I feel like I've only ever really considered the first three: the human self, the physical universe, and the Living God, thus leaving out the unseen, created "spiritual" beings and powers.

When that fourth worldview does come up, it freaks me out a little bit. It's not something that I feel comfortable with. I think the first time I really took an in depth look at it was when we read through DJ's It Is Finished during my first summer as a driver. But there is such good news in the Stronger Man! And I wish I had known it sooner. "We need not fear the evil one in his desire to destroy" (91). "There is authority and power in Jesus' name!" (92) "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world turns out to be the Lion who takes down the ruler of evil" (91). So, I have no reason to freak out, because Jesus has already won. Jesus is the Stronger Man!


A few other random thoughts:
"The Stronger Man, taking what appeared to be a weak way, had bound the strong man" (91). What appeared to be a weak way...a towel and a wash basin, the floor of the mikey, the docks in 100+ degree weather, giving up a summer to work with college students and teenagers...ultimately the cross at Calvary. "For when I am weak, then I am strong..." only because the Stronger Man lives in me.

"Jesus comes into all the wreckage to make us whole again. Sometimes we need forgiveness. Sometimes we need physical healing. Sometimes we need psychological healing. And sometimes we need to be delivered from the work of Jesus's enemy" (89). He doesn't just fix it from afar. He comes into it. He is in the brokenness, He is in the pain, His is in the hurt...making us new...making us whole. And He gives us exactly what we need, when we need it.