Where does Jesus’ power come from?
Luke 11:14-23
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
The healing of the mute man leads to Jesus teaching. For this to make sense it helps to know the Beelzebul is another name for Satan or the devil. In the crowd are three responses to Jesus’ action in healing the man. There are those who are amazed and rejoice in what Jesus has done – praising God (vs. 14). There is a group (vs. 16) who are demanding more and more signs. They want something to see, they are spectators seeking for the spectacular.
The third group, those seen in vs. 15, draw Jesus’ attention. They suggest Jesus is from the devil, and that Jesus is using evil powers to bring these healings to people. Jesus will have none of that. First, it is a ludicrous idea. Why would the devil be attacking the devil’s own forces? Why would Satan be removing the powers that are doing Satan’s work? It is obviously an absurd argument. Jesus turns to the crowd and says, “You judge.”
Then comes the central question. If Jesus is working by “the finger of God” (vs. 20) to bring healing and hope to those caught in disease and the powers of destruction and the powers of the devil, that means God is at work and the reign of God is being revealed in the world. If it is by God’s power that the evil forces – the demons – are being pushed back and people are being freed – then One has arrived, Jesus, is more powerful than the strong man of the devil. In Jesus Christ a force for good and of God has come and the forces of evil are on the run. God’s power is present in Jesus and it is time to choose whose side we are on – there are only two options – for Jesus or against Jesus.
PRAYER:
Lord God, the choice is clear and stark as Jesus says. Give us the courage and the commitment to choose for you and for your son. Send us the Holy Spirit to keep us following well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.