#71 Luke 11:14-20 The Kingdom of God Has Come Upon You

On May 15, 2022 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #71 Luke 11:14-20

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
If you’re anything like us, you desire to fix your eyes on Jesus despite the distractions and pressures of this world. This podcast makes room to quiet the noise around and in your mind so you can see and hear Jesus better. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading so we might know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads today’s passage, take the next minute to pour out your heart to God. Maybe it’s a list of questions for which you need answers, sadness, anxiety, hope, gratitude, or joy. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to God in the next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read the passage two times. As I read, consider the question: What does this say about God?

Luke 11:14-20 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. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, 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 upon you.”

Again?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider: What does this tell you about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward God today and know Him more.

One Response

Amy:
It stands out to me that the demon itself was mute, blunted, dumb, dull, disabled in tongue, and unable to speak itself. In this passage, the Greek word used for mute comes from the root word, kopto, which means “to chop.” I wonder who chopped off this demon’s ability to speak. I’m not sure, but I see it desires to inflict its own disability on mankind. But Jesus wants people to be free from the influence of the demonic, so Jesus drove this demon out, depriving him of the power and influence he exercised over a man.

The word kingdom also stands out to me. Jesus refers to Satan’s kingdom when he says, “If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” And Jesus also refers to God’s kingdom when he says, “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” In Satan’s kingdom, cruelty and bondage reign. In God’s kingdom, freedom prevails. The goal of Christ is to bring the kingdom of God close to us so that we might enter into his beautiful kingdom through Him.

I’m reminded of Episode 22 when Jesus gave his first public sermon in Luke 4:18. Do you remember what he chose to say? Jesus said,

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”

Wow, we’ve seen Jesus follow through on these words with power, setting people free over and over again. How he loves us!

Closing

Amy:
You can find a transcript of this episode and a link to BlueLetterBible.org, my favorite website, where I learned about the Greek word ‘kopto’ I mentioned today at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.