There is an old joke that went something like this, “What would you say to a seven-foot body builder if you met him in a dark alley?” The answer, “Yes Sir.”  It’s a corny joke, but the message is clear.  Jesus spoke a parable similar to this.  “If a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe.  But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides the spoils.” (Luke 11:21-22)

Jesus told this parable in response to people suggesting that He “cast out demons “by Beelzebub.”  He challenged the people to think clearly.  Can a house divided stand?  Of course it cannot.  So when He cast out demons “by the finger of God” how can they question that the One who is Stronger has come?  How can they miss that “the Kingdom of God has arrived?”  (see verses 14-20)  Jesus is essentially saying, “Open your eyes and see what’s happening here!”

It was a casual conversation that had turned very serious.  The subject was how things looked in our world.  Discussion about a tragic murder of three children by their own mother initiated the conversation, but it grew into a bemoaning our societal ills.  One in the small group finally blurted out, “Revival will never come. Our world is just too sinful.”
Sadly far too many Christians share this individual’s perception.  They may not verbalize like this person did, but they act like it.  Have we forgotten that the “Stronger One has come?”  Do we think that Beelzebub is stronger than Christ?  We cannot throw in the towel, for Jesus is still on the throne.  He is Victor and is able to save, cleanse, and transform.  Sin may look like it is winning, but it cannot.  All the demons of hell may be “guarding the house fully armed” but He who is
Stronger has come and they have no defense.  The gates of hell cannot stand against Him!

We have two tendencies when it comes to the power of evil.  We either make it virtually invincible, or trivialize its power.  We must do neither.  We cannot underestimate the power of evil, but let us never forget, we belong and serve the One who is Stronger!  Sin and death is a defeated foe!  We must lift up our heads, sound the battle cry, and move forward in Christ Jesus.  Though sin abounds Christ is more powerful, and His grace abounds more.  Evil does not have the final word, nor does it the power to defeat our risen Lord.  We must not be deceived by the ways things look.  Not only can revival come, it can sweep across our land with cleansing transforming power.  Beloved, let is believe with new fervor, remain faithful to our Lord, and watch what the Stronger One will do.

What should we say when we come face to face with the One who is Stronger?  “Yes Lord!”

Keep Close to Jesus.
Pastor Gerry