“But some of them said, ‘By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.’” (Luke 11:15, NIV84)

Do you doubt Jesus sometimes? That’s all right! Have you ever been confused as to why He did or said a certain thing that is recorded in the Bible? You’re not alone, and it is all right! But, have you ever called one of His works a work of the Devil? If so, shudder! Jesus took/takes a lot from us fallen creatures, but one thing He refuses to take is the false accusation that His gracious divine acts are really acts of the devil. In our text for today, Jesus exorcized a demon from a man. Many who witnessed the act marveled and praised God. But some countered their praise with the accusation that He performed the exorcism with power from below rather than above. At this point they tread on dangerous territory. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “Any sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matt. 12:31).

Jesus is willing to debate any proposition of truth. He doesn’t mind the theological wrestling matches we have with Him. He actually encourages them. But He (God Almighty) will not allow His acts of divine grace and mercy to be attributed to the forces of evil. At that moment you will face immediate opposition from Jesus, and the people who made the statement in our text got exactly that. Jesus says in verses 19-20, “Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:19–20, NIV84). Jesus could not, and did not, let their accusation stand. For the sake of God’s glory and the hearts of the people who were properly moved by the event, Jesus made sure that one and all knew that this act was done by the finger of God. In fact, He went so far as to tell them that the false accusation was evidence that they were missing the bigger picture, that the kingdom of God was at hand. He was bluntly telling them that they were on the wrong side and were members of the wrong kingdom.

May we today and always give God the glory and praise due Him for what He has done.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church