WHEN GOD HAS COME UPON YOU

Luke 11:14-28 / Keywords 11:28

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

 

Jesus and Beelzebul

11:14 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. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”

28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

1. Jesus drove out a demon that made a man mute. The man now had a voice to share his thoughts and feelings and to contribute to society. While most were amazed at Jesus’ power, some questioned his authority, claiming it was evil in nature. Probably they were suspicious of Jesus, who did not fit their picture of a holy man, much less the Messiah. Jesus also challenged their authority with his radical mercy and association with those deemed public sinners and unclean. Because they could not accept Jesus, they could not accept the life-changing power of God at work.

2. Jesus did not pretend to be holy with priestly garments or long flowing robes. He wasn’t a performer trying to prove himself to people who demanded signs and miracles. Jesus was a teacher and shepherd-like servant of those who were helpless and lost. Jesus came not only to drive out demons, but to fill our hearts with the life-giving spirit of God that recreates our very being to be filled with the love and grace of God. When this happens, the kingdom of God has come upon you.

 

Prayer Lord, open my mouth to speak what is good and true. Help me to listen carefully to what you say and be filled with your life-giving spirit.

One Word Hear the word of God and obey it