Jesus Never Lost a Battle

Acts 10:38 - "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

A missionary pastor traveled to Haiti to learn about the work being done there and to start a church where needed. When word spread that a church was going to be started in a particular village, this pastor was approached by five witch doctors. Those five witch doctors came to intimidate the pastor and declared, "You cannot do that work here. You cannot start a church here. We will not allow you, and we will use our power to stop you."

That pastor understood his authority in Christ. He confronted those witch doctors directly, declaring, "My God is more powerful than you. You will not stop the work that God is going to establish in this village. God will be glorified in this village, and we will start this church."

The five witch doctors departed in anger, determined to take action. However, within two weeks, the main witch doctor died. Convinced that something supernatural had occurred, the other four returned to the pastor and requested, "We want to hear about this power that is greater than the power we have been serving. Would you please tell us about this God that you serve?" That pastor led all four of those witch doctors to Christ, and they became the first four converts in his church in Haiti. Stories like this can be told all throughout the history of the church, because the power of satan is no match for the power of Christ! That has always been the case, because Jesus never lost a battle!! Praise the Lord!

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus lived in dominion over satan. He possessed authority and was more powerful than any demonic spirit, principality, power, or any other being. In John 14:30, Jesus, speaking about the devil, declares: "The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me."

The Amplified Bible expresses it well: "I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me."

Jesus came to this earth as God in the flesh (John 1:14), full of power and authority and not under Satan's dominion. Jesus encouraged His disciples by saying, "The devil has nothing in Me. He has no power over Me. There is nothing I possess that belongs to him. He doesn't control Me." Jesus was never under Satan's authority.

When Jesus walked this earth, He freed those oppressed by the devil. Jesus never lost a single battle with the devil. Every time He encountered demonic forces, they obeyed His word (see Mark 5:1-9). They even pleaded, "Jesus, do not torment us." Why? Because Jesus already had complete authority over them.

Though Jesus has ALWAYS had full authority over the devil, Ephesians 1:22 says that after the Cross, He gained something: "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

You might question: "I thought Jesus already possessed all authority, yet here it states He was given authority." The New Living Translation clarifies verse 22: "God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church."

Everything is now under Christ's feet, and we are His body. Jesus laid down His life, forgave our sins, and broke Satan's power over the lives of those who place their faith and trust in Him. He regained the authority we lost in the Garden of Eden. Now, as we are in His body, by saying "Jesus be my Lord and Savior," we too can enjoy His victory and walk in His power! Hallelujah!

Reflection Question: When facing spiritual opposition in your life, do you approach it in your strength or in Christ's supremacy?

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus never lost a battle with the enemy. Help me to remember His perfect record of victory when I face spiritual opposition. Give me the same confidence that missionary had - knowing that Your power is greater than any force that comes against me. In Jesus' Name, amen."

Adapted from "Reigning Through Christ" (Ephesians 1:19-23): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/qzggtfz/7-reigning-through-christ-eph-1-19-23