June 2, 2018 - - Luke 4:33-36 - - Jesus the Holy One

And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
Luke 4:33-36 ESV

The demon knew Jesus as the Holy One of God. What a description. It is the holiness of God that terrifies demons. It is the holiness of God that makes the sin-filled tremble.

Perhaps one of the reasons many of us as Christians are so casual about our faith and worship practices is that we haven't come face to face with the holiness of God! Sin cannot stand in His presence. Sinners are "undone", feel as if they disintegrate, fly apart at the seams, because the Living God is so pure, so majestic, so holy.

Until we have been confronted with the holiness of God, we will not recognize the sinfulness that infests us. 
Until we recognize the sin that infests us, we will not truly understand the grace of Jesus Christ that makes us clean and shields us from the just wrath of God.
Once we have recognized the depths of God's holiness, we will realize the profound need we have of Christ and of His grace, we cannot help but humble ourselves before the Living God in wonder, worship and praise. Coffee mugs and hipster attitudes will be thrown far from us and we will, with awe and wonder, worship will mean throwing ourselves on the mercy of Jesus--He Who has the authority and power to shield us and bring us into the very presence of God.

Holy are You, LORD God Almighty! We are demented in sin and covered in hubris until Your holiness confronts us and shows us that evil does not reside "out there somewhere" but has a castle in our own hearts. King Jesus, break down every edifice of sinful resistance. Spirit of the Living God apply the finished work of Jesus to our hearts and minds, to our words and actions so that we will be a people of humble praise and fervent service witnessing to this world of the only hope of rescue: Jesus. Amen.