Read Luke

Read Luke 11:14-23. Again we see religious opposition somehow has the ability to turn a miracle into a debate. You would think there would be celebration - a party - someone who could not talk now can. There will always be skeptics of the good things God is doing. To some extent that can be a good thing - there are pretenders that we must put in their place. Jesus is not a pretender. His power is real and when we've experienced it - there will be no doubt.

Notice Jesus is not afraid of opposition. He knew before he did this miracle some would scoff. When we are working for the father we can't be overly concerned about the critics. In reality if we truly are serving God - slanderers will come. As we learn to hear the fathers voice of approval the voices of critics fade in the background.

When our opponents resort to slander - and lies we know we're touching a sore spot! If people have to create stories and angles to get at us then they prove the good we're doing. If Jesus had actually been wrong or sinful - they could have said as much. We see here just as we do at his trial, that all they have are made up stories.

Like present day politicians hungry for power Jesus' critics are scared people might follow him and leave their influence. In some ways we all struggle with a fear of "being controlled." It seems safer if we're in control than if we fully surrendered to Jesus. But if we take a closer look - scan our memory we'll see we are harsh taskmasters of ourselves. Most never think they're good enough. We think critical thoughts about ourselves that aren't true. "I'm fat." "I'm dumb." I'm a failure." "Others are so much further ahead than me." Etc. When Jesus leads us - he much gentler. He tells us who we really are - "sons of God, new creations, adopted children, seated in heavenly places."

Jesus is the stronger man. He has entered the devil's playground and bound him. The preaching of the gospel binds the enemy. In the last chapter the disciples helped bring satan down - Luke 10:18. What is the "armor" in verse 22 that the Lord is breaking through to take over? It is that in which we have trusted. God is wanting to break through whatever we put our trust in. Here Jesus' opponents have trusted in their positions and power - a tough thing to give up.

questions

1) Can you handle being slandered for the sake of Christ?

2) Do you remember when you ran your own life - made your own decisions without first asking your Lord Jesus? Can you remember how harsh you used to be with yourself? 

3) Are you free from this harshness?

prayer

Lord - let your kingdom come and your will be done in our lives. Lord - come set up your kingdom in our hearts. We are sorry if we have ever scoffed at you work in someone else's life. We know you can change hearts - heal brokenness and bind the enemy. Bind his influence in our life today. Be the strong man who comes in and takes away what we've trusted in. We simply want to trust you!