Shalom,
We are really grateful to see the efforts of the government to target the reach of herd immunity that each of us will get the protection from the attack of COVID-19 virus by being vaccinated twice, and it is now being managed to get the third shot. But we still have to apply the medical protocols and even the Ministry of Religion released a letter numbered 25-2021 on August 25, 2021 that also arranges the medical protocols for church services. Although in the meantime we still have to watch live-streaming church services, it doesn’t stop us to be grateful. In line with the sermon’s theme this morning “We are strong with Jesus”, any method of church services should not weaken us for God is always present and His loving kindness is eternal.
Let’s meditate on the aspects of being strong with Jesus written in Luke 11:14-28. They are:
- Our soul is freed by the power of God (vv. 14-23).
Jesus cast out the devil who muted the person (v. 14). Mute could be caused by problems in some organs such as vocal cord, throat, mouth and tongue, and even psychological problems.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus cured many people of their physical illness and also spiritual as their soul were possessed by the devil—unseen supernatural spirits.
The devil who was inside the body of that person took control of his vocal organs and muted him with the purpose to control not his physical organs but his spirit, soul and heart to ultimately lead him to eternal perdition. That was why Jesus cast out the devil so that the person would be freed and his soul was saved.
Unfortunately, some people showed prejudice against Jesus (vv. 15-16). They were not mute, but they were saying things that denied the power in Jesus. Ironically, they had seen how Jesus miraculously cast out demon, yet they didn’t believe in Him and even tempted Him. It’s because their souls were actually controlled by the devil that hardened their hearts.
The miracle of Jesus doesn’t mainly deal with physical organs – outer or inner organs in human body – but to free human soul from the devil’s grasp by confessing the power of Jesus, not rebelling or denying His power.
Introspection: What were the words coming out of our mouths (organ) when seeing a miracle or hearing someone’s testimony? Do we believe that God is working on miracles? Or we despise it with our unbelieving heart?
When Jesus cast out the devil by the power of God, the Kingdom of God came (v. 20). Therefore, the casting out of the devil, the help of the Lord, economics or marriage restoration, and so on, have the purpose for the Kingdom of God to come. Does this mean that we cannot experience physical blessings? We can surely do, but after receiving the help and physical blessings from the Lord, we must not focus on pursuing more physical blessings; otherwise, without realizing it, we will be drifted away from God and His Kingdom that our life will end up unoccupied although the devil has been cast out.
Application: If God has set us free from the devil’s power or evil behavior and He has blessed us with a miracle of healing or physical blessings, we should continue staying together with Him and gather with Him (vv. 21-23). We are together with the Lord when we are prioritizing spiritual matters, not pursuing worldly matters; instead, sensing the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God by serving and ministering God as our Heavenly Father.
- Our body is made as the dwelling place of God (vv. 24-26).
To those whom God has released from the devil’s bondage and has experienced miracles as well as restorations, here is the question: what should you do next? Don’t let the cleaned house unoccupied! Human body is a house (Greeks: Oikon = dwelling place; singular) and Jesus doesn’t want the house of our life unoccupied. Submit our entire life (body, soul, spirit) to the Lord to be made as His dwelling place because He wants to reign over us. Be careful, once the evil spirit dwells in the human body, he will always target to return to the house he left.
It happened that among the Jewish (the Scribes, Chief Priest, Pharisees) there were also some who cast out demons (v. 19) but obviously not with the power of God. Jesus confirmed that He cast out demons by the power of God and the Kingdom of God came. The point is the Kingdom of God comes so that the house of human body that has been swept clean and tidy won’t be unoccupied. Therefore, after experiencing the help of the Lord, we shall not forget the power of the Lord and try to solve our next problem by our own strength, or else this is no difference with the Jewish who cast out demons without the power of God. The presence of God’s Kingdom together with His power is the stronghold of our lives.
Luke 11 begins with Jesus’ teaching on prayer—asking for the Kingdom of God to come, and is closed by asking for the Holy Spirit from the Father. It’s really clear that the role of God the Trinity is inseparable à the Father – the Son and His sacrifice – the Holy Spirit.
After Jesus cast the devil out of our livee, we should make our houses clean and tidy (v. 25) ready to receive the Kingdom of God where strong “persons”—God the Trinity with His supernatural power (v. 21-22), dwells. Why? Because man is a natural creature who is not able to fight against an evil spirit (a supernatural creature), let alone seven of them. Only the almighty Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, can defeat other spirits.
Application: The help and physical blessings we received from God is to serve as an encouragement to steadfastly continue to search the Kingdom of God and invite God the Trinity to inhabit our lives. We can’t walk on our own counting on our ability, knowledge, wealth, experience, success, or even a privileged link with important people. We are truly a mortal man, but we can be changed into a spiritual man by allowing God the Trinity to reign over our lives. This way, we can stand firm in facing anything. Admittedly, we can be weak and fall at times, but the Holy Spirit will always remind us and help us get back up. When the devil sees a much mightier Person and Kingdom dwell in us, he and his allies won’t dare to return to the house.
- Our hearts are pleased by the Word of God (vv. 27-28).
The cry out of this woman referred to Jesus because of her amazement seeing the miracle, the teaching and the Person of Jesus. This woman thought that the mother who conceived, breastfed and raised Jesus would be proud and happy.
The question is would she still feel amazed and admire the mother who conceived and breastfed Jesus when seeing Jesus suffered to die on the cross? I’m sure she wouldn’t. However, the fact is Jesus’ death is the beginning of true happiness.
After Jesus resurrected from death and ascended to Heaven, the Holy Spirit was poured down and the church and the ministries were formed. What is the meaning for us now?
The woman’s assumption that Jesus’ mother must have been happy is not really right. Here is the reason:
- “Blessed is the womb that bore You, …”: happiness doesn’t come from our active participation in structuring church ministries.
- “…, and the breasts which nursed You!”: it’s not enough to be happy or feel content only because we take part in giving our thought, fund and energy to activate and expand the ministry we pioneered.
Jesus confirms that true happiness is when each minister continues listening to and keeping the Word of God in their life; and also staying strong in the ministry although there might be some frictions and disagreements among fellow ministers. This can surely happen because the sacrifice of Christ has reconciled us with one another and the Holy Spirit infills us that our speaking organ will not utter any word that could mute our ministry.
A mute person is generally hearing impaired, too. After the muting devil is cast out, his hearing organ will automatically function well. What should it be used for? It is Jesus’desire that after someone receives His help, they faithfully listen to the word of God and keep it, meaning to always remember and obey it. Don’t forget that the Holy Spirit has the important role to carve every Word we heard on the tablets of our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3).
We are strengthened when released from the power of evil spirit, dwelled by God the Trinity – the Word of God is carved on the tablets of our hearts, and the Holy Spirit leads and brings us to the happiness to enter eternal happiness with Him. Amen.