Now he was casting
out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and
the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul,
the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign
from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom
divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if
Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say
that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by
whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it
is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has
come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods
are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes
away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with
me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Lk 11:14–23).
The Son of God became like us in order to
reveal the glory of God to us… “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). When Jesus spoke we heard the word of
God… “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent
me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John
12:49). When Jesus acted we saw the work of God… “Believe me
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of
the works themselves” (John 14:11). Today we see that when Jesus spoke
and acted people did not always acknowledge His manifestation of the kingdom of
God. The difference between would-be and genuine disciples is that we anticipate
and acknowledge the finger of God as the finger that invokes a Kingdom.
The finger of God imprecates His
enemies. In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the
demon was cast out by the power of God. The touch of heaven’s potency was captivating
and conquering. This was a revelation of the creative power of God… “‘Ah,
Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power
and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).
This was a release of the defending power of God… “The LORD will
fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14). As we
grow in faith we learn to rejoice in our trials because they are opportunities
for the kingdom of God to be released and revealed through the finger of God
in triumph over our enemies.
The finger of God imposes His authority.
In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the demon was
cast out by the rule of God. The touch from heaven’s throne was commanding and
compelling. This was a revelation of the reign of God over other would-be
pretenders… “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is
established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity’” (Psalm
96:10). This was a manifestation of the divine sovereignty of God… “Yours,
O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the
majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the
kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles
29:11). As we grow in faith we learn to surrender our battles to the Lord
as we trust the finger of God to enforce His kingdom authority over
our enemies.
The finger of God identifies His disciples.
In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the demon was
cast out and witnesses were compelled to choose sides. The touch of heaven’s
grace was divisive and distinguishing. Whenever God shows up and defeats His
enemies, those who despise Him will deny His power… “They exchanged the
truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the
Creator” (Romans 1:25). Those who love Him will praise and celebrate
His grace… “What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who
believe, according to the working of his great might” (Ephesians 1:19).
As we grow in faith we welcome trials in anticipation of the finger of God
manifesting His kingdom’s grace toward us, His children.
As we grow up into Christ we anticipate
and celebrate the finger of God every day because it is…
The Finger that Invokes a Kingdom.
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