When Jesus of Nazareth—the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)—commanded the demons to leave, they left.
Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. (Mark 1:25-26)
The demons didn’t talk back.
Jesus said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs. (Matt 8:32)
The demons didn’t tap into some hidden demonic reserves, fight back, and unexpectedly overpower Jesus.
“The demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. (Mark 7:30)
The demons didn’t debate, out-wit, convincingly plead their case, or get the Holy One of God to change his mind.
Jesus rebuked the demon, it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. (Matt 17:18)
When Jesus commanded the demons to leave, they obeyed.
In Acts 17:30-31, Paul proclaimed:
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
The same Jesus who exercised authority over the demons has opened the gateway of grace whereby you might escape “the domain of darkness” and “share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col 1:12-13).
As the Holy One of God, he is commanding you to turn away from your sins, respond to the gospel, and live.
It’s one thing to say, “I believe in God.”
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (Jam 1:19)
When Jesus commanded the demons to leave, they obeyed.
“Now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
How will I respond?