Most folks grew up with at least one bully in their life, maybe even in their very neighborhood. Mine was named “Butch” and he lived across the street. Most of our playing of games on Hamilton St. began with choosing sides. Want to guess who always chose first? And since I was the second biggest kid, I chose second. All smiles when Butch picked, frowns when I chose. Guess who always won? So that should tell you what pops into my mind every time I read the parable: Binding The Strong Man.
It is recorded in 3 different places: Mt 12:29; Mk 3:27; Lk 11:21-22 Matthew’s account is parallel with Mark’s; happened at the same time, place and situation and almost exact same wording. Luke’s occurred almost a year later. Jesus must have battled countless times over where His authority/power came from because He cast out a demon more often than any of His other miracles. Usually His combatants were the Scribes and Pharisees. His answer was always the same. He began with the parable of a House Divided and followed with Binding The Strong Man. Luke’s account supplies a few more details about the plunder, but basically the same message.
Each time Jesus was attacked regarding the source of His authority/power, the accusation was always the same: “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Jesus disputed the claim every time, all over Judea and Galilee. Here is Matthew’s account of the parable of Binding The Strong Man.
“For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.”
Lessons?
1- The casting out of a demon was proof that Jesus’ power/authority exceeded not only the demon, but the demon’s master, Satan.
2- The deliverance was proof that Satan and Christ were enemies.
3- That means that Satan’s followers and Christ’s followers were and are enemies.
4- “Enemies” means that they are at war against each other. Eph 6:10-17
5- Christ’s power/authority is rooted in WHO He is: the DIVINE SON OF GOD. Jn 1:1-14
6- Remember 1 Jn 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Satan cannot conquer believers today because each one has the Holy Spirit of God.
7- Understand that there are still modern Pharisees who dispute Christ’s power and authority.
However, now not so much as to where it comes from, but, “He may have had authority back in those days, but not now?” Be ready to dispute that claim.
