This Kind...

In the text before us, Jesus speaks of “this kind,” as though to tell His disciples that there are some demonic powers that can be cast out more readily. When the Master sent His disciples out, commissioning them to do the work of the Kingdom, He authorised them to exercise authority over demons. We read in Matthew’s Gospel, “[Jesus] called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” [MATTHEW 10:1].

This authority over demonic powers is reported in the other synoptic Gospels as well. In Mark’s Gospel, we read, “[Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” [MARK 7:1]. Luke says that when Jesus had called the twelve together, He “gave them power and authority over all demons” [see LUKE 9:1].

I want to take a moment to focus on another passage that is significant in this context. Mark, writing, we may assume, the account that Peter related, informs us, “[Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” [MARK 3:13-15]. What is important to note is that the disciples were specifically appointed—not once, but on multiple occasions—to have power and authority over demons, over unclean spirits. And yet, we see in our text that they were unable to accomplish what they had been appointed to do in this instance.

I know that many followers of the Master in this day want to claim authority to heal and authority to cast out demons. And I don’t deny that we do have some authority. However, our power and authority, given by the Master, is not unlimited. Just as was true with the disciples, we have limits. We are bounded by our relation to the Master Himself. When we attempt to work in our own power, we will discover our limitations, and the discovery can be ruinous.

Paul had authority over diseases, and yet, he was honest enough to speak of his limitations. Writing Timothy, Paul is explaining the absence of some of those who had walked with him through the work he had performed when he admits, “I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus” [2 TIMOTHY 4:20b]. Why didn’t Paul heal Trophimus? We don’t know; what we do know is that Paul didn’t heal his companion. He was able to heal, but his ability was not without limits. Paul advised Timothy, who appears to have suffered from some sort of stomach ailment, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” [1 TIMOTHY 5:23]. Why hadn’t Paul healed Timothy before this? What had hindered the Apostle? Clearly, he was able to heal when God permitted. However, his authority over disease was not unlimited.

The point of this excursus is to remind Christians that the authority we have in Christ is not unlimited. We are not God! We are privileged to be counted as His servants. In some instances we must have a measure of humility when confronting the powers of this dark age. It is wise for us to recall what Jude wrote concerning the archangel Michael when he withstood Satan. Recall how Jude exposes the arrogance of some spiritual wannabes when he writes, “The angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.