Cortez: By whose power

BY WHOSE power is Jesus driving out demons? This was the central question in today’s gospel. For us Christians the answer is obvious: Jesus is driving out demons by the power of God. And since Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, he is God himself. Thus, he drives out demons by his own power.

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In the narrative as recorded in Luke 11:14-23, the answer to the question was not as clear among those who witnessed Jesus drive out a mute demon. In fact some speculated that the Lord drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. To which Jesus, recognizing their faulty logic, commented:

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” In other words, how can Satan work against himself? Why would he drive out his own minions?

Thus, Jesus refuted their speculation. Rather, he implied who he was. He said, “If it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.” Indeed, Jesus is the Son of the living God; his coming signifies the coming of the Kingdom of God in our midst. He was sent by the Father to redeem the world — to preach the good news, to cast out evil spirits, to heal the sick, to set the captives free, and to give life to its fullest.

The gospel ends with the statement, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” How broad and how deep! Christianity is a way of life. It is not only words but deeds. “Faith without action is dead (James 2:17).”

Christians are supposed to be doers — not mere hearers, spectators or bystanders. And Christian life should be lived wholeheartedly, not half-heartedly. As God warns in Revelations 3:16, “Because you are lukewarm, neither hot or cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.”