Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 11:14-36 "EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION..." Luke 11:17"
Day 145 – Luke 11
Text: Luke 11:14-36
“EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION…” Luke 11:17
The scribes of Jerusalem had made a wicked allegation against Jesus. They had charged Him with being in league with the ruler of the demons, or that He was possessed by Beelzebub.
To the unschooled, to the naive, this line of reasoning may even seem plausible. “How else can Jesus wield so much power in his life?”
Jesus refuted this statement completely! He did this by revealing deep insights about the Kingdom of Satan. Yes, the world of Satan may well be described as a “kingdom.”
A kingdom must be united if it wishes to remain strong. A kingdom divided will not last long! This reasoning seems obvious! Yet, the scribes of Jerusalem ignored this most basic of logical thought!
Jesus had “cast out” demons. The word in the Greek text is actually a very forceful word. It literally means “to expel” (Luke 11:14). Jesus could not be in league with the demonic rulers if He was forcefully expelling demons from human beings.
The demonic kingdom has its own agenda. That plan seems to be to cause hurt and harm to human beings. That plan seems to be the destruction of all that is good and holy.
Jesus sought to curb the activities of the demons. He commanded them to come out of human beings! He was obviously in conflict with the demons. Any attempt to suggest otherwise would be spurious. If Jesus were in league with the prince of the demons, then the demonic kingdom would go into a self-destruct mode!
Quite obviously, the scribes of Jerusalem were only seeking to make mischief for Jesus by what they alleged! They were merely trying to cast aspersions on the Lord Jesus by their evil allegations!
THE PREACHING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus had preached the Kingdom of God to the Multitudes (Luke 4:43). He was deeply committed to proclaiming the Kingdom of God and all that it stood for (Luke 6:20-38).
The Kingdom of God that Jesus espoused and proclaimed was in direct conflict with the Kingdom of the demons. How could Jesus be in league with the demonic kingdom when all that He taught and did resulted in the fall of Satan (Luke 10:18).
“BY WHOM DO YOUR SONS CAST THEM (DEMONS) OUT?” Luke 11:19
There were “Jewish exorcists” in the days of Jesus. Why were they not questioned as to the source of their authority?
If these Jewish exorcists were regarded as servants of God, when judged carefully, why would they not apply the same judgment and acknowledge that Jesus had full authority from God. If the Jewish exorcists were indeed servants of God wielding authority and power from God, then why is it not possible for Jesus to exercise authority over demons?
Obviously, the scribes of Jerusalem did not have an answer to the rhetoric of the Lord Jesus Christ!
“BUT IF I CAST OUT DEMONS WITH THE FINGER OF GOD…” Luke 11:20
The Multitudes, the scribes of Jerusalem, and even the Disciples must consider this powerful statement that Jesus was casting out demons by the finger of God! This term, “the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19) was once used by the Magicians of Pharaoh when they carefully pondered over the mighty miracles wrought by Moses.
They had seen the following:-
1. Water turned to blood (Exodus 7)
2. Frogs appeared in the land (Exodus 8)
3. Lice attacked both man and beast (Exodus 8)
The Magicians concluded that the miracles that Moses was performing in the land of Egypt indicated that “the finger of God” was involved.
Jesus had performed many mighty miracles Himself. He had healed the sick. He had raised the dead. He had cast out demons! Did He not do these things “WITH THE FINGER OF GOD?”
“SURELY THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME UPON YOU” Luke 11:20
What is the significance of these miracles? Did not the scribes of Jerusalem think about the SIGNIFICANCE of seeing extraordinary miracles being wrought in broad daylight?
If they had not been able to think through this carefully, then it was time to hear the suggestion that Jesus was going to make to them!
“…surely the kingdom of God has come upon you…”
Luke 11:20
All their lives, the Scribes had spent their lives studying the Old Testament Scriptures. Surely, they would know about the Promised Kingdom of God! There were many passages in the Scriptures that spoke of how God would send His Messiah to His people. The clearest way to identify Him would be by His Spirit-filled Life (Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 61:1-3).
The authority and the power evidenced in the life of the Lord Jesus serve to confirm that His message concerning the Kingdom of God was authentic! If the multitudes had indeed believed in John the Baptiser when he preached on the need to repent if they wanted to enter into the Kingdom of God, then they should listen even more attentively to He who can cast out demons by the finger of God!
HOW ARE WE REGARDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
It is good from time to time to ponder anew… our regard for the Kingdom of God. Have we entered in? How do we appreciate being in the Kingdom of God?
Webmaster’s Note :
If you are seeking a deeper level of understanding of prayer, please check out Pastor Charlie Tan’s excellent weekly articles on The Theology of Prayer , which includes a more indepth study of The Lord’s Prayer and how it applies to our prayer-life.