Third Sunday in Lent
Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast sent Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh, that He might overcome the devil, and defend us poor sinners against the adversary: We give thanks unto Thee for Thy merciful help, and we beseech Thee to attend us with Thy grace in all temptations, to preserve us from carnal security, and by Thy Holy Spirit to keep us in Thy word and Thy fear, that unto the end we may be delivered from the enemy, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Real Opposition to the Gospel
Introductory
It is fashionable to mock the reality of Satan. Napoleon Hill, the popular business fraud and author quoted his mother saying, "The only devil is the one who believes in him." (He claimed spirits spoke to him in his study.) But it is also fashionable to use Satanic symbols, worship the occult, and follow anything opposed to Christianity. Our impression of Phoenix was that the biggest holiday (a contraction of holy day) is Halloween, not for children but for adults. Christmas, in comparison, seemed minor.
Luther summarized the conflict as Two Kingdoms - the Kingdom of Christ versus the Kingdom of Satan. Modernists have confused the terminology with the Two Regiments - the Church and the Government. I think that came about to avoid talking about faith and to concentrate on politics. That is why the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal funds lobbyists for their causes in D.C. and every state, plus Canada (ELCiC).
Luther was much more careful with Biblical terms. Satan has his kingdom on earth and he never tires of taking people away from the Kingdom of Christ. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is very good at portraying this battle and how it affects people differently. My niece, many years ago, asked me about Satan, if he existed. I asked her what Jesus taught, if He spoke as if Satan existed. She turned and grinned at her mother and said, "Seee?"
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
Jesus worked among the poor and sick. Instead of advising rich people about their wealth, as many clergy do today, He went to the poor, the sick, and the outcasts. That should have pleased everyone. The crowds marveled at His power and spread the Word, which was connected with the Messianic Promises. The Gospel of John especially emphasizes that the miracles were performed to verify His divinity and His teaching. Now people seem a little more willing to listen to His teaching (to some degree) while dismissing the miracles. They go together, like the invisible Word of teaching and preaching, the visible Word of the sacraments - baptism and communion.
Everyone should have been delighted by His miracles and teaching, but they were not. That should remind every congregation and pastor that the cross accompanies all Gospel work. If opponents confronted Jesus with the crowds present, why would they not confront the Gospel in the same way? - always upset, always holier than thou in the accusations, always willing to escalate the battle.
The first realization of every minister is that the best and most worthwhile efforts are met with opposition. The response should be, "I must be doing something right, because something is hated, really hated." In Bunyan's case, he went from a flourishing ministry to a jail cell away from his family and members. He was clearly despondent and anxious because he was sure he did the right thing and instead lost everything dear to him. Toward the end of his life, after two jail terms, he realized the prison made his books possible, and one become the most read book in the English language, second only to the Bible, 2002 editions as of today. The 2001st and 2002nd are Alec Satin's pdf and print versions.
When we reflect on the public ministry of Jesus Christ, we see that He had opposition from the start, ending with the cross. And He was and is without sin. Should Christians expect a better, a more pleasing deal than what He earned? And yet, He proceeded with patience, showing faith and love in His actions, knowing what was lying ahead.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
The accusation was the worst of slanders. That meant Jesus worked through Satan, their only explanation for the source of His great power. Others saw the miracle and demanded more proof - another miracle from heaven. Thus there are two groups who do not see or understand the Kingdom of God. The same can been seen today. Some look upon Christianity as the worst of all evils. Others say, "I prayed for for a miracle, and it never happened, so I don't believe anymore."
The third group are those who understand the power and mercy of God and believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Many aids and signs come our way if we only wait for God's timing rather than demanding our own.
But some are like the student who phoned me at 1 AM and wondered why I sounded so sleepy.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
Jesus' response is common sense. Notice that He knew their thoughts - an important note, and that is still true today. That is why so much is done by God to guide our thoughts and actions, meditation versus impulse, sacraments as Means of Grace and guides, instead of popular opinion.
The accusation is that Satan is driving out Satanic spirits. If so, Satan's kingdom is at war with itself and must fall. They are saying in their own clumsy way that Jesus will bring about the fall of Satan because of His exorcisms against Satan.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Their own people - rabbis (sons) - claim to cast out demons, to exorcise devils, so is that how their own perform such miracles? Instead, He claims the power of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke to the believers of His time and ours - the third group. The blasphemers or opponents are one group; the skeptics or rationalists are the second - who test God and find Him wanting; the third group are those who are strengthened and encouraged by the Savior. The Kingdom of God has come to them, as promised to Abraham in Genesis 15 - like the stars in the sky and the sands of the seashore, too numerous to count.
The next sentence clarifies the situation, but the allegory flies past most of us the first or second time.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
This Gospel selection is about Christ and Satan, so the allegory seems mysterious at first. Like many other places, it is so clear when explained. The strong man guards his palace - that is Satan in control of the earth. In ancient days, only the Jewish people knew of the Messiah and many believed in Him. Overall the planet belonged to Satan, which meant atrocities were the norm, common "religious" practice too horrible to list. Some civilizations passed away from their constant warfare with others, too.
We can still find "new" ancient ruins that speak of great wealth and power, but something happened. A stronger Man came along and defeated Satan through the cross and took away all the weapons of Satan that worked so well in the past. Bloodthirsty acts, random violence, and slavery over the weak and poor - all were methodically defeated by Christian growth and love for the brothers.
Satan once had all the wealth and power, but a Christian Europe - and then America - emerged that used that wealth and power for the good. It is no wonder now that people on the other side, those who oppose Christianity, are striving against the Constitution, freedom, and Christianity. The paganism that grew in the shadows and underground must be exorcised completely.
And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God. #10
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Indifference (sceptics, rationalists) are not neutral - they are against Christ. Either one gathers or scatters. We can see how clever the dabblers were in getting every denomination together to declare all they needed was love and good works. Doctrinal differences do not matter and should not be explored - they said. Quickly their indifference became the indifference and soporific peace of the masses. Fuller Seminary sold their magic formulas to all denominations and the Catholics, plus some obviously heretical groups. It worked the same with all of them. And one wit wrote to me, "Yes, they failed equally with all of them." Besides that, the Andrew Cuomo of Willow Creek chased the women around the altar and xerox machine while telling everyone he had the answer to their evangelism questions. The best combo, for the uncertain, was to study at Fuller and Willow Creek, teaching every form and variety of adulteration.
The second part is a warning against those who repent and then repent of their repentance. The one who is no longer a slave to his base desires can easily rejoice in his new life, but his old evil buddies and his body chemistry want him back, with even more helpers in his downfall. That is why we need to deal gently with fallen, since renewal is not easy and regaining a God-pleasing life is a major battle. Paul warned the Galatians about this.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. οι ακουοντες (hears) τον λογον του θεου (Word of God) και φυλασσοντες (guards) αυτον
This is another example (like Jesus speaking to His mother as "woman,") about elevating Mary beyond her status. Like a time traveler from Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy, this woman uttered a blessing for Mary and her care for the infant Jesus. But He emphasized instead (not with the blessing, but a replacement) blessed are those who listen to the Word of God and guard/keep/protect it. Faith and God's grace come to us from hearing the Gospel Word; the second part is guarding and witnessing to it.
