November 22, 2015
Evening Service

Luke 11:14-23

We are continuing our study on the parables of Jesus.  This morning Jesus used separate parables to help us to more clearly understand His teachings on prayer and fasting along with the difference between the old and new covenants.  The parables also are used for a dual purpose.  They enhance our understanding, but they also hinder the understanding of those to who it is not given to comprehend.

The “Parable of the Strong Man” is given in Matthew 12 and also in Mark 3.  It is told each time following Jesus casting out a demon.

Luke 11:14-16 And He was casting out a demon and it was mute. And it happened as the demon was going out, the mute one spoke. And the people marveled.  (15)  But some of them said, He casts out demons through Beelzebub the chief of the demons.  (16)  And others, tempting Him, sought a sign from Heaven from him.

·         Notice that there is no controversy in the fact that Jesus did in cast out a demon.  This demon hindered this person from speaking and upon its removal so was the physical hindrance.   This was very obvious and accepted by all.

·         Even with this miracle there were still those who had so little faith that they could not glorify Jesus for what He was able to do, but had to question it.  They saw but did not understand.

·         The controversy is by whose authority Jesus was able to do this.  These claimed it to be Beelzebub (Satan).  Jesus, knowing their hearts, answered them.

 

Luke 11:17-19But knowing their thoughts, He said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. And a house divided against a house falls.  (18)  If Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons through Beelzebub.  (19)  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judge.”

·         First off, Jesus reasons with them that no house divided against itself can stand.  Why would Satan send a demon to live within a man and then demand he then leave him?  It would be like one apostle baptizing someone and they receive the Holy Spirit and another apostle praying for that Spirit to be removed. (?)

·         On a side bar, Satan was listening that day as well.  What is one of his greatest weapons he uses against the Lord’s church?  It is division.  The scripture is full of encouragement for us all to be “united in Christ.”  Unity should be what we strive for because division will only bring us down.

·         Jesus then asks about those among them who are also casting our demons, are they using the authority of Satan as well?  He then gives them the alternative to their claim of Satan’s authority.

 

 

 

 

Luke 11:20  But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, no doubt the kingdom of God has come on you.

 

Mat 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

·         The kingdom of God had indeed come unto them and us in the Person of the King Himself.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords stood right in there very presence performing miracles and they did not recognize Him at all.

·         This is where Jesus now uses the parable to enlighten us and confuse them.

 

Luke 11:21-23  When the strong man, fully armed, guards his dwelling, his goods are in peace.  (22)  But when one stronger than he comes, he overcomes him. He takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and he distributes his arms.  (23)  He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

·         Up until this point, the strong man of this world was Satan.  All those he held in his grip had no way to challenge, over power or overcome him.  Things were great from Satan’s point of view and going peacefully according to his plan.

 BUT when a stronger than he comes…

·         Jesus arrives on the scene born in a manger in Bethlehem and raised as a humble carpenter in the town of Nazareth.  He, however as we know, was much, much more.  He was God in the flesh or as John described it:

John 1:1-4  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  He was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.  (4)  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

 

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt  among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.

·         A one much more powerful than the prince of this world was now present.  The casting of these demons was only a small display of that power.  There was now One who could release all those held in this world’s strong grip.  Jesus said:

John 16:33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

 

The parable clearly shows that Jesus is the stronger man and He has come to free all those held in Satan’s stronghold.  He is our Deliverer and our Savior.  Through the gift of His Holy Spirit, we also have power over the former strong man.

 

1Jn 4:4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

 

Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

 

We all too often walk through life as if we are down trodden and defeated, that however it far from the truth.  We have already won the battle is over, those in Christ win!

 

Lord, may we walk tomorrow in victory rather than defeat thanks to YOU.