THE FINGER OF GOD

Passage: Luke 11:14-28

Key verse: 20

NIV

Jesus and Beelzebul(A)(B)

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.(C) 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul,(D) the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”(E) 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.(F)

17 Jesus knew their thoughts(G) and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan(H) 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,(I) then the kingdom of God(J) 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.(K)

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.”(L)

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.”(M)

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

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ESV

Jesus and Beelzebul

14 (A)Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons (B)by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, (C)to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 (D)But he, (E)knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And 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 cast out demons by Beelzebul, (F)by whom do (G)your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by (H)the finger of God that I cast out demons, then (I)the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 (J)but when one stronger than he attacks him and (K)overcomes him, he takes away his (L)armor in which he trusted and (M)divides his spoil. 23 (N)Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

24 (O)“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through (P)waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And (Q)the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

True Blessedness

27 As he said these things, (R)a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, (S)“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, (T)“Blessed rather are those (U)who hear the word of God and (V)keep it!”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The kingdom of God has come (14-2 ) A demon made a man mute. Demons work in strange ways. Jesus drove out the demon and restored the man's speech. It's was by God's power and love. His critics said it was by Satan's power. But why would Satan be against himself, commanding a demon out? Satan would encourage more demons to come in. Jesus worked by the finger of God, that is, by God's power and word (Ex 8:19; 31:18). Jesus came to destroy the devil's work (1Jn 3:8). 2. Hear and obey God's word (21-28) Satan is strong, but Jesus is stronger, since Jesus rescued Satan's prisoner (the mute man). Whoever doesn't fight Satan or calls Jesus evil is against Jesus (23). Cleaning up one's life isn't enough to keep the devil away (25-26). We must be filled with Jesus and His Spirit. A woman thought Jesus' mother was so blessed to raise him so well. Jesus replied that blessed people hear and obey the word of God.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus, for rescuing me from Satan and sin by your power and love. Help me to fight against sin and evil by your holy presence and humble submission to your word and Spirit.

One Word: By the word and Spirit of God