Max Lucado was teaching a group of people in Jerusalem. They were in an enclosed space. They were accompanied by a tour guide and some guards. 

His text was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

A few minutes into his message an unseen voice began to mock him. Lucado described it as “high pitched and eerie.” Whenever he said certain words it repeated them back to him in a sarcastic voice. “One and only!”  But Lucado continued. 

When he said the name of Jesus, a similar thing happened. The voice echoed the name back to him in a heavy, mocking accent. People were looking around but no one could see where the voice was coming from. It was a mystery.

Since the name and authority of Jesus was being proclaimed, Lucado sensed a spiritual conflict with dark powers.

So Lucado prayed and then said: “Jesus is the supreme authority of this place, any place, and every place, which, by the way, includes any demons, servants of hell, and Satan himself. You are not welcome in this gathering!” 

He repeated it several times. The crowd began to applaud and shout “Amen!”

That’s when the mocking voice stopped. 

Lucado continued his teaching, undisturbed. Afterward, he asked the tour guide if he or the guards found anyone. “We tried,” he replied, “but we could not find him.”*

One of the basic Christian confessions is that Jesus is Lord (see, for example, Philippians 2:11 and Romans 10:9). If Jesus is Lord that means that others are not. Since we belong to him, we share his victory over sin, death, darkness, despair and evil.

There are real forces of evil in the world. They do not like it when Jesus is proclaimed and lived. But fear not. Jesus is both supreme and victorious, and he carries his people with him as the good shepherd and king that he is.

Let’s live with an out-loud allegiance to Jesus. In our prayers, in our homes, in our churches, in our conversations, in our communities, and in our world. And let’s back up those words with lives that reflect the love and holiness of God.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will change the world.

Notes:

–*Max Lucado, Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now (Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 2019), 136-7.
–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on February 3, 2025.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.