Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 11:21-46 "A FEARFUL THOUGHT"
Day 146 – Luke 11
Text: Luke 11:21-46
A FEARFUL THOUGHT
Few of us fully understand how Satan and his kingdom are organized. The scribes from Jerusalem had alleged that Jesus was in league with “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Luke 11:15).
Of course, Jesus had to strenuously refute this allegation. His power and authority expelled demons from humans. He healed those who were possessed by evil spirits! How could He be in league with Beelzebub?
As Jesus explained, He added a fearful thought! He spoke of how Satan operated. He was compared to “a strong man, fully armed, who guards his own palace” (Luke 11:21). This is a fearful thought indeed!
Let’s look at some other Bible passages that will help us comprehend a little better what Jesus meant, when He spoke of Satan as “a strong man, fully armed, guarding his goods” (Luke 11:21)
1. Pauline perspective
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church and warned them about “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians. 6:11). In the same context, he solemnly wrote these words,
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers
against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places”
Ephesians 6:12
2. Johannine perspective
The Apostle John also had a very firm understanding of the powers of the devil. In the Book of Revelation, John had this to say about the devil.
John described the devil in the following way,
“So the great dragon was cast out,
that serpent of old,
called the Devil and Satan,
who deceives the whole world;
he was cast to the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him”
Revelation 12:9
John added another fearful thought,
“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!
For the devil has come down to you,
having great wrath,
because he knows that he has a short time”
Revelation 12:12
3. Petrine perspective
The Apostle Peter also wrote about the devil in his first general epistle,
“Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”
1 Peter 5:8
A WONDERFUL HOPE
Thankfully, Jesus did not conclude his teaching on this note. The Devil may indeed be described as “a strong man,” however there was one “stronger than he” (Luke 11:22). This Person was none other than Jesus Himself.
Jesus went on to describe this battle between the “strong man” and the one “stronger than he…”
“But when a stronger than he comes upon him
and overcomes him,
he (the victor) takes from him all his armour
in which he trusted,
and divides his spoil”
Luke 11:22
When Jesus came on the scene and He expelled demons who afflicted human beings, He came as One stronger than Satan! When Jesus expels a demon, He overcomes him. He completely delivers the individual from the power of the enemy, who is totally routed! What a glorious hope we have in the Lord Jesus Christ!
“HE WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME…” Luke 11:23a
Jesus described his ministry on earth in military terms. The Kingdom of God is at war against the Kingdom of the Evil One. In this war, there is no neutral zone. One is either with Jesus or against Him.
The scribes of Jerusalem were now thoroughly exposed! Their theology was at best superficial and flawed. They had not realized that there was no neutral zone. They may not even have realized that they had taken a stand against Jesus! They were certainly not standing with Jesus!
Therefore, they were in fact standing against Him. If they were not in the kingdom of God, then they were in fact in the kingdom of Beelzebub. Their vicious and unfounded allegations revealed their true colours.
“HE WHO DOES NOT GATHER WITH ME SCATTERS” Luke 11:23b
Jesus had been patiently and gently gathering people into the kingdom of God. Suddenly there came a group of people who were bent on opposing Him. They were not gathering people into the Kingdom of God! They were doing the opposite instead. They were scattering! The Deceiver had done his work well. The scribes were but tools of the devil!
How we must be challenged to put on the whole armour of God at all times!
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