Today's Scripture Reading (January 9, 2024): Mark 9
Acts
19 tells a story about some pretenders who were going around driving out evil
spirits in the name of Jesus. These men are identified as the "Seven sons
of Sceva. These seven men were following a practice that had made its way into Judaism
of invoking the name of angels whenever they were driving out demons. It is a
practice that survives to this day. I recently had a time of sickness during
which I was hospitalized, and a friend sent me a text in which he said that he
was invoking the name of Raphael, the angel of healing, who he believed would
set me on my feet once again. My response was that the practice was a dangerous
one, and I would much rather be left in the hands of Jesus than one of his
angels, even if my friend believed Raphael specialized in healing.
Luke
tells a short story in the Book of Acts about the seven "Sons of Sceva"
who had chosen Jesus as their avenging angel. These men were snake oil salesmen
who were prophesying over the demon-possessed one "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul
preaches. I command you to come out." These "Sons of Sceva" were
likely the sons of a local Jewish priest, so they felt that their proximity to
the religious establishment also insulated them from any adverse circumstances.
But there was a problem. It doesn't appear that they knew either Paul or Jesus.
These men were not true believers. They were charlatans putting on a show for
the people and enjoying the money and prestige that came with what was
essentially a traveling magic show. But one day, they met up with an actual demon,
and their snake oil wasn't enough to cast this demon out. And this demon one had
a question. The demon's response to the sons of Sceva trying to cast him out of
his victim was, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you"
(Acts 19:14). Then the demon proceeded to give the Sons of Sceva such a beating
that they ran naked from the house. The story's moral is that confronting a
real demon requires more than a few names to strengthen you in the fight.
Jesus tells his disciples not to stop anybody from doing
miracles in his name. On the surface, it seems to be the opposite of what
happened with the Sons of Sceva. So, what is the difference between
these two stories? Maybe the difference is that if someone is really preaching
Jesus and has a relationship with him, they will have the power of Jesus.
Others can learn the technique and turn Jesus in a traveling carnival show, but
saying the name of Jesus without being in a relationship with him is dangerous.
And the followers of Jesus don't have to work to stop the imposters.
Eventually, the demons will do that all by themselves.
Tomorrow's Scripture
Reading: Matthew 18
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