Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Kingdoms in Conflict - Luke 11:14-26

Episode Summary

What happens when Kingdoms clash? The more powerful one is the victor. In this text Jesus is seen as the protector of the downtrodden and forgotten of the world.

Episode Notes

What happens when Kingdoms clash? The more powerful one wins. Why is that so important to us? What do we need to know about two spiritual Kingdoms who are in conflict with one another?

As Jesus nears Jerusalem, he makes it clear to those who will listen. 

Read Text

A remarkable event with a deaf dumb person who is completely healed takes place. How would you respond if you were there?

There are 3 groups who respond to this miraculous event:

  1. Those who are amazed
  2. Those who try to discredit Jesus
  3. Those who want to test him to see if he really is a prophet from God.

These groups are going to be more and more visible as the approach to Jerusalem nears. Why? Why are the rulers so intent on discrediting Jesus?  For some, their political power, influence, and status are all in jeopardy, which also affects their income and living standard.  Others are more idealistic, and they see the laws of Moses being violated and consider Jesus a rebel who will really lead people astray from the true faith.  Their very Foundation for believing in God is challenged by Jesus.  If Jesus is not a prophet from God, then we can relax, our understanding of Scripture must be right. This conflict is heading towards a showdown in Jerusalem, and it is a battle between two kingdoms, two rulers who master the lives of us all: the devil with his power of sin: pride, greed and lust versus Jesus who offers freedom from sin and the joy of abundant life, hope that encompasses, not only this life, but also the life to come!

  1. The Battle commences with a definite act of compassion and love for one who was rejected, downtrodden and neglected as having been judged by God and abandoned. 
  2. Jesus counteracts that very notion! He displays the love of God and exposes the hypocrisy of such attitudes of superiority.
  3. The response is defensive on the religious ones who are exposed.
  4. Jesus masterfully and graciously confronts their ungodly attitudes:
  5. He acts like a prophet by addressing their thoughts!
  6. He explains that the battle in the unseen world cannot be won by the devil
  7. He uses the demonstration to announce God’s Kingdom and rule
  8. He challenges them (and us) to make a clear decision in who we will follow!
  9. This has drastic consequences for all who chose not to follow Jesus
  10. It has liberating consequences for those who do follow! Filling the house with his presence!
  11. Our response to this challenge? We need to choose!