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Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Effective teachers do more than convey information. They ask questions.
Jesus was famous for asking questions. As a matter of fact, He made answering a question with a question somewhat of an art form. That’s because Jesus understood an important principle: Asking a person the right question often has far greater benefits than simply handing him the right answer. Questions require thinking and analysis. They push people toward an answer – toward a decision. And Jesus is all about decisions.
The eleventh chapter of Luke paints an interesting scene. Beginning in verse fourteen, we see a crowd of people witnessing an exorcism. Jesus is confronting a demon that has silenced a man’s ability to speak. I imagine that was something to see. But unlike some of Jesus’ other demonic encounters, we don’t get a lot of details on the exorcism itself. Instead, Luke’s focus is on the varied reactions of those present.
Some questioned Jesus’ power and authority saying that they came from Satan himself. Some people marveled – they were intrigued by what they saw. While others wanted more of a show – they wanted Jesus to show them more miracles. They were curious, but they wanted more proof.
People respond to Jesus in similar ways today – marveling, questioning, and even demonizing. But according to Jesus it’s not enough to marvel at the miracles He performed. Nor is it enough to like Jesus or to enjoy listening to His teachings. Surprisingly, it’s not enough to publicly praise Jesus (Lk 11:27,28) or even to be freed from demonic possession (Lk 11:26). Jesus pushes his hearers beyond all of these things. Jesus pushes those who would listen towards one goal: the decision to receive Him.
In this passage, Jesus likens himself to a lamp that has been placed high on a stand for all the world to see. He has come to enlighten the world to spiritual truths that cannot be perceived with the naked eye or understood with bare human intellect. And one of these truths is the very real existence of two unseen, spiritual kingdoms: One a kingdom of darkness, the other a kingdom of light. One the kingdom of Satan and the other the Kingdom of God. One the kingdom of Hell, the other the kingdom of Heaven.
In Luke 11:21-22 Jesus tells a short parable of a king and his kingdom. He describes this king as a strong man, fully armed guarding his own palace. His army and his kingdom have been secure and at peace – that is until one stronger than he arrives and attacks his kingdom. This stronger man overpowers the king, overthrows his kingdom and divides the spoils of battle.
In this parable, the “strong man” is Satan and the palace he was guarding is this world. Jesus is the one who is stronger – the one who has attacked Satan’s kingdom and has overcome him. Jesus’ miracle proves the point: The man with the demon is evidence of the reality of Satan’s kingdom and the exorcism is proof that Jesus is “one stronger than he.” Satan is overcome by Jesus and the kingdom of darkness is overcome by the light. The kingdom of God has arrived and Jesus is the Commander in Chief.
Jesus has both the power and the authority to overthrow Satan’s kingdom but, as in any war, the people must choose sides. Which kingdom and army will they support?
Jesus asks the question and then adds, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” Whoever does not choose to side with Jesus remains on the side of the enemy. There is no middle ground (Lk 11:23).
Too often, people want to sit on the fence. They want to avoid making a commitment, making a decision to receive Christ. But Jesus warns us that the unseen battle is real, though we cannot see it. The lines between these two kingdoms have been drawn though we cannot always perceive them.
We must choose sides. We must answer the question: What are you going to do with Jesus? What are you going to do with the light? Will you join him? Or will you be part of the resistance? An insurgent for the kingdom of darkness?
The default setting on the human heart is darkness. We all begin there for that is the kingdom we are born into. The question is, “Where are you today?” The answer to that question makes a world of difference – the difference between heaven and hell.
There is only one way to know: Have you received the light? Have you chosen to receive Jesus and the redemption that He offers? It is the only way out of the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of Hell.
If you are not with Jesus, you are against Him (Lk 11:23). But to all who do receive Him, who believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God – children of the kingdom (cf. John 1:12). Receive Him today.
"I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.” Acts 26:17-18 (The Message)
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1John 5:20
