Conquer the devil and cure the world (Job 2:3-5)

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 I came across this today in Matthew Henry’s commentary on Matthew 10: “The design of the gospel was to conquer the devil and to cure the world.”  Isn’t this what we stand in  need of especially today? 

We have a worldwide pandemic with COVID-19 and find ourselves facing the unknown. Many are choosing to dwell in fear instead of caution, stockpiling resources that others desperately need, reacting instead of responding by placing others before themselves. Obviously, people need physical resources to live; people spiritually cannot live without is Jesus, but they are reaching for everything else first. Unfortunately, some will die because of this crisis, and the One they need most, who gives eternal life abundantly and freely, stands ignored.

Jesus can be the calm in the midst of the storm but only if one is in Christ. Matthew 10 shows Him as the One who gave His disciples the power to overcome the devil and cure the world of sin. The gospel is what the world needs right now, and the Christians need to bear this out before a desperate, hungry world. 

Thinking about people’s panic reminds me of Job when Satan asks God for permission to take Job’s health (NASB, Job 2:3-5):

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause."

Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

"However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.”

So the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life."

If unfamiliar with Job’s story, take the time to read it (https://www.bible.com/bible/100/JOB.1.NASB) because most everyone has extra time on their hands. Even in the midst of inconceivable loss, Job held fast to God and came to realize that God is sovereign and that man exists for God instead of the other way around. After much questioning, Job’s last words are of repentance, in dust and ashes. God saw. God heard. God responded. Job’s life ended 140 years later, not in the midst of disease and helplessness, but in the fullness of old age, a restored life, relationship with God. 


God still sees. God still hears. God has responded with Jesus. If you know Him, share Him with others. If you don’t, please don’t let the opportunity to know Jesus slip away. He is the only One able “to conquer the devil and to cure the world.”

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