February 9

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. - 1 John 3:8.

AND we know how he succeeded. When he had sent forth the seventy disciples, and had given them power over unclean spirits, he followed them as they went, and said, “I beheld Satan as lightning falling from heaven;” and, as the last hour and the power of darkness drew on, he said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” “Now,” says he, “is the judgment of this world.” “Now is the prince of this world cast out.” “And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” The world shall change Masters, and instead of following him they shall follow me. But it may be asked, “Did he not fall in the struggle?”

When a man is slain in the battle, why should you consider him as a conqueror? If it only produced such a conclusion as this, his triumph was short, it was but for a moment. It is true Jesus fell; but it was in falling that he conquered. “He spoiled,” says the apostle, “principalities and powers; he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by his cross.” And because “the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Thus our Lord delivers his people from the power of darkness, and brings them into his own kingdom. “When a strong man armed,” saith he, “keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, he taketh from him all. his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoil.” So that, from that period, properly speaking, the combat begins with him. Before this, Christians did not oppose him, and he did not oppose them.

Why did he not? Because he had them in safe custody; they were his bond-slaves, and they were led captive by him at his will. But when they were emancipated from his control, then he followed them as apostates from his cause,-then he burned with inextinguishable ire to overtake and destroy them. Then he pursued after them like Pharaoh; and, like Pharaoh, his attempt will issue, not in their destruction, but in his own. “Yes,” says the Apostle John, “whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” Not touch the Christian! He has touched him a thousand times. How often does he awaken his fears!- how often does he distress his conscience! Not touch him; the devil not touch him! Not so as essentially to injure him-not so as to destroy him-not so as to overcome him.

We see an exemplification of this in the experience of Peter. “Simon, Simon,” says our Lord, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, and, when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” But did not Peter’s faith fail? It did, indeed, as to its exercise, but not as to principle. It did fail for a minute, but it immediately recovered. The bough was bowed down by the violence of the wind, but it soon recovered its uprightness, and pointed towards heaven again.

It required but a look from Jesus, and all was in motion again as before:-“He went out and wept bitterly.” Yes; thus shall it be with all the Lord’s people; and therefore, says the apostle to the Romans, “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.”