The Stronger One

But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons, he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

Luke 11:22

The strong man may protect his house very well. But, when faced with a stronger adversary, even he will be conquered. Thus it is with Satan. Jesus is able to overpower him and taken his weapons away.

It is interesting how Jesus details this illustration. It shows that the old devil thinks he can trust in the means by which he has power. But, he finds out that Jesus is well able to take these things from Satan’s hands.

Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering us from the power of darkness, and for bringing us into the kingdom of Your Son. You are good and holy beyond all imagination. I will praise You for ever for Your faithfulness and truth. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

A Strong Man

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.

Luke 11:22

Jesus is here illustrating the position of the powers of the air in this word. They are strong by the world’s standards, and hold their territory with strength.

The devil has possession of this world for the time being. However, as we see in the following verses, Jesus has power over the devil and all the rest.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your true love and great grace. You are so holy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Finger of God

If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 11:20

Jesus was preparing to teach His hearers some things about demons. But before that, He makes a very important statement. He was not just a prophet. He was not just one of the many messengers that God had sent. He did these mighty works by the ‘finger of God’.

What is the significance of that? It is with the finger of God that the Old Testament law was written on the tablets of stone. The finger is on the hand, and the arm, of God. These appendages are mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament in connection with the mighty acts of God.

In other words, Jesus is saying that He does what He does with the full authority and power of the Godhead. He follows this up by saying that the kingdom of God had come to them. Jesus is referring to Himself here as well. As the Messiah, He is the King of the kingdom.

Fortunately, many of the students of scripture in that day were quite dense. If they had understood Jesus well at this time, they would have tried to kill him sooner. Indeed, we must remember that the cross wasn’t the first attempt upon Christ’s life. It was just the first one He allowed to succeed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Messiah! Jesus is perfect! I praise You for Your infinite wisdom. You are so awesome! Father, Your will and way are beyond description. Yet You have given us a peek into them. I will forever thank You. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Have Your Cake

And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.

Luke 11:19

Jesus is using the classic ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it too’ argument. There were those among the Jews who practiced exorcism. Jesus doesn’t comment here on their relative success, or legitimacy. But, He does call his critics on the carpet for their hypocrisy.

The fact was that Jesus was being attacked because the leadership of the Jewish nation could not ignore the many things He was doing. He was different. There were many in that time who pretended to be the Messiah. But, Jesus was unique. His works had to be repudiated, or accepted.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Messiah! Jesus is perfect! We will live to proclaim Him to the ends of the earth. Thank You for bringing us to see our need and turn to Christ. You are worthy of all honor and praise forever! Every day gives me a new opportunity to glorify Your Holy Name. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Divided Kingdom

If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

Luke 11:18

Jesus is not here telling us that excorcism is always proof that someone is on the right side of things. There have surely been some fakes and phonies down through history.

But, Jesus had cast out so many demons with such authority that their had to be some explanation. Either he was in league with the devil, or He was God Himself. Using simple logic Jesus here refutes the idea that the devil would allow this.

Satan is the author of confusion. Jesus had a clear message, and His authority was clear. He cast out demons as a spoiler of the powers of darkness. He alone has the authority and ability to do so.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Christ! I will praise You forever. You are wise and strong and good. You have by Your authority made all things in Your will. I will live to love Your ways. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Knowing Their Thoughts

Knowing their thoughts, he told them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.’

Luke 11:17

Don’t ever miss the significance of the first few words of this verse. So-called mind reading is a cheap trick. But, this was the real deal.

Indeed, on several occasions in the gospels we are specifically told that Jesus knew what people were thinking. Now Jesus is very intelligent, and could surely figure out what people were likely to be thinking. But He can do more than that, He CAN read minds.

Two observations are helpful here. First, this is one of the many evidences of the Divinity of Christ. And, second, it is something that I am convinced the devil can never do. Oh the old worm can figure a lot of things out. He has been guessing for a long time. But only God knows exactly what you are thinking.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love! If anyone could read anyone else’s thoughts we would all condemn each other. But You know it all and yet allow us to be redeemed. So it seemed good in Your sight. We are eternally thankful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

A Sign from Above

And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven.

Luke 11:16

These folks were not asking for a miracle. Jesus had performed lots of those. This was a specific request. They were looking for something like Moses’s manna or Elijah’s fire.

However, these signs from above had not been provided because of belief, but due to a lack of it. God’s preference is that people believe without these types of evidences. Jesus, therefore, refused to provide a ‘sign from above’ to prove Himself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for understanding us so well. We are so selfish and we think we are so smart. But You know the end from the beginning. Thank You, Father. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Demons

But some of them said, ‘He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’

Luke 11:15

Critics are everywhere! False prophets abound! The jealousy of the Jewish leadership over the success of Christ was very strong.

But, there was more to it than that. There was a theological issue at stake. If they recognized the authority of Christ to cast out demons, then they would be admitting He was sent by God. And, because of the measure of His authority, they might have to admit He had come from heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to us! The power of His Spirit in our lives gives us victory in this dark world. We praise You! We love You! You are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The Mute Spoke

Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed.

Luke 11:14

I am sure many will wonder the same thing I do about this. A mute demon? What’s up with that?

The powers of darkness are all about confusion. Demonic forces will not fail to subvert, lie, trick, lure, trap, kill, destroy, and ruin. When this is the goal, having a voice is not completely necessary. The demon kept this man from being able to speak for himself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a voice with which to praise You! It is a joy to sing to Your glory and honor. You are wonderful, glorious, and so very powerful! The powers of this world are nothing before You. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Ask for the Holy Spirit

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Luke 11:13

We hear a lot of the teaching of this passage repeated. Ask and you shall receive. Request what you want from God. But, then the last part of this verse gets left out.

What is Jesus telling us here? If we are saved, don’t we have the Holy Spirit? Well, first of all, He is speaking to the lost. He is assuring them that God, as a loving Father, will give them salvation if they will ask for it. And then, secondly, He is speaking to the saved. Though the Spirit indwells us, we are still meant to ask and seek to be filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is why we are to be people of prayer.

Ask Him for the Spirit! Without the Spirit, we are but poor imitators of Christ. With His Holiness in us, we may truly reflect the glory of Jesus to a lost and dying world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit! We forget this Priceless Treasure! Oh forgive us! Lord God, bless us with Your Spirit! May He lead and guide us in everything. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.