"No Middle Ground"

 N.T.#568 "No Middle Ground"

June 11, 2025 

Luke 11-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW

Here is the third accusation of blasphemy for Jesus and His second debate. The second time is found in Mark 3. We are reading about the battle between light and darkness, Jesus and Satan. This is how Luke connects the Lord's healing ministry for the first time. These people claim Jesus is using the power of Satan to cast out demons from a man. This is ridiculous because Satan would want the man to remain demon possessed. It would be counteracting his own purposes. Jesus used the power of God not the power of Satan. (verses 14-19)

One day the devil will be vanquished at the hands of King Jesus. (Rev. 20:10)

In this case, the demon controlled the man's vocal cords, preventing him from speaking. Yet, Jesus is all-powerful and has all authority, so when He cast out the demons, the man began to speak. Jesus performed His ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. 

As it turned out, the delivered man became possessed by an unclean spirit again, since the man was not filled with the salvation of Christ. His life was worse than before the encounter with Jesus, since 7 evil spirits conquered him. (verse 26) 

We learn from this that a person needs to fill their mind and soul with the Word of God, His Holy Spirit, and surrender to God's will. Whose side are we on? There is no middle ground nor any neutral ground.  We are either on the side of Christ leading God's kingdom or we are on the kingdom of darkness led by Satan. The results are eternal.

LET IT GROW

There are some profound statements which Jesus says in this chapter:

• But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (verse 20)  Jesus is the Messiah, in other words. The Messiah was with them that day.
• He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me sattereth. (verse 23)
• But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it. (verse 28)

A person's obedience to God is more important than his or her place on the family tree. Consistent obedience is more important than the honor of bearing a respected son, which the woman was valuing more for Mary. Mary had to trust Jesus as her Savior, too. She has no more ranking than you or I do. Mary was just an instrument through which God used for Jesus to take on human form.

Those who hear God's message and then heed it are the ones most deserving of honor. (Swindoll)

LET IT GO

Help us let go of stuff and surrender to You, Lord Jesus.

Help us hide Your Word in our heart so we don't sin against You, Holy God.

May we follow You today, Sweet Jesus.