#1049. Kingdoms in conflict (6/5/24)

This week, we continue in our Luke series by reflection on Luke 11:14-28. Today, let’s reflect on how we will experience the same spiritual assaults as Jesus experienced.

Luke 11:14–28

‘Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.  But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”  Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.  If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.  Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.  But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.’ (Luke 11:14-19)

Luke 11:14–19

Lesson: A Christian or a church that is allied with Christ against demonic powers will face attack from the kingdom of darkness.

To listen to this devotional, go to:

https://youtu.be/4NF-wQ48BCY

Jesus knew what it was to be misunderstood and slandered. Jesus having done a wonderful kindness in healing this ‘mute’ man, is accused of doing so by the power of the devil. What his accusers don’t realise is that it’s actually they, as shown by their accusatory and divisive behaviour, who are being influenced by the power of darkness! Like Christ, those who seek to attack the kingdom of darkness, will face retaliation and be attacked by the power of darkness and we must be ready for this!

Jesus responds by showing them the folly of their logic; it simply doesn’t make any sense for someone who is serving ‘Beelzebul the prince of demons’ to attack him by driving out demons! It makes no sense, if Jesus is serving satan, for Him to drive demons out.

Beelzebul derives from the name of the Canaanite fertility god and probably means ‘lord of the flies’ or ‘lord of dung’! Let’s be clear, Jesus, The Son of God who is being led by the Father and the Spirit, is being accused of serving the lord of dung and the prince of demons! Jesus warns each of us who are allied with Him in sharing the gospel and praying against demonic powers that we will also face similar attack:

‘“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!’ (Matthew 10:24-25)

Matthew 10:24–25

Response

A Christian or a church that is allied with Christ against demonic powers will face attack from the kingdom of darkness. Beelzebul is still ‘the lord of dung’ and he still attacks what is good and those who seek what is truly good. Let’s not be surprised if we are slandered for sharing the gospel, standing up for truth and praying against demonic powers. Stand strong knowing that you are experience the sufferings of Christ and that He is greater and that He is with you.