The Finger of God: Luke 11:27-20
“17) But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls. 18) If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19) And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges. 20) But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:17-20
Jesus started by responding to His critics that He casts out demons by Beelzebul. The first problem with that theory was that if Satan casts out demons, his kingdom is divided. Why would he work against himself? If that is the case, His kingdom will quickly fall apart.
The second problem related to the Jewish exorcists. As was the case recorded in Acts 19:13-16, some from priestly decent were casting out some demons. They had very mixed results. In the Ephesus case, it did not go well for them. Such is the case of most religious exorcists.
But it did raise an interesting point. How were they casting out demons? Were they channeling Beelzebul or were they using some Old Testament ceremonies or religious rituals? In a sense, the critics were implicating their own ranks.
Jesus quickly presented a third proposition. He might be doing deliverance ministry by the very power and finger of God! If he was casting out demons by the finger of God, that meant one thing; the kingdom of God had come upon them! They had better sober up and listen!
Jesus consistently defeated every demon and unclean spirit he encountered. Many fell before Him recognizing His true identity and absolute authority. In Jesus, the kingdom of light was quickly triumphant over the realm of darkness… every time!
The critics had actually opened a subject that pointed to the absolute supremacy and authority of Jesus Christ. No figured in biblical history including Moses, Elijah or David came close to the absolute authority of Jesus Christ over the demonic realm.
Had they paused long enough to examine their own subject matter, they would have had to concede the absolute authority of Jesus Christ over Satan and his subordinates.
The finger and kingdom of God was indeed standing before them. The battle was not even close. Jesus Christ won every encounter.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“17) But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls. 18) If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19) And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges. 20) But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:17-20
Jesus started by responding to His critics that He casts out demons by Beelzebul. The first problem with that theory was that if Satan casts out demons, his kingdom is divided. Why would he work against himself? If that is the case, His kingdom will quickly fall apart.
The second problem related to the Jewish exorcists. As was the case recorded in Acts 19:13-16, some from priestly decent were casting out some demons. They had very mixed results. In the Ephesus case, it did not go well for them. Such is the case of most religious exorcists.
But it did raise an interesting point. How were they casting out demons? Were they channeling Beelzebul or were they using some Old Testament ceremonies or religious rituals? In a sense, the critics were implicating their own ranks.
Jesus quickly presented a third proposition. He might be doing deliverance ministry by the very power and finger of God! If he was casting out demons by the finger of God, that meant one thing; the kingdom of God had come upon them! They had better sober up and listen!
Jesus consistently defeated every demon and unclean spirit he encountered. Many fell before Him recognizing His true identity and absolute authority. In Jesus, the kingdom of light was quickly triumphant over the realm of darkness… every time!
The critics had actually opened a subject that pointed to the absolute supremacy and authority of Jesus Christ. No figured in biblical history including Moses, Elijah or David came close to the absolute authority of Jesus Christ over the demonic realm.
Had they paused long enough to examine their own subject matter, they would have had to concede the absolute authority of Jesus Christ over Satan and his subordinates.
The finger and kingdom of God was indeed standing before them. The battle was not even close. Jesus Christ won every encounter.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
