Jesus is Essential
Luke 11:18–23: If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Jesus’ parable of the strong man and the stronger man has been variously interpreted. In view of the context, the strong man refers to Satan, and the stronger man to Christ Himself. When it was that Christ attacked and overpowered Satan is not stated by Luke.
Luke may have had in mind Jesus’ temptation experience, or the Resurrection, or perhaps the ultimate binding of Satan. The point of the parable, however, is that Jesus is the stronger One, and therefore He has the right to divide up the spoils. In this case the spoils include formerly demon-possessed people who no longer belong to Satan. 1
Walking with Jesus
There is a battle for your soul. Satan wants to own you for his kingdom of hell. Jesus offers you redemption from hell, and will give you the gift of a heavenly kingdom with Him. Are you living your life in daily appreciation of His hard fought victory for your soul?
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 8:15
A heart becomes hardened when it continues to say no to God, and yes to self.
Praying
Lord, I need You as my Strongman, to delivery me from the darkness of this world.
1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
