BINDING THE STRONG MAN

BIBLE TEXT: Luke 11:14-26

Binding the strong man is the job for a stronger man. The stronger man here is Jesus. He came down from heaven to earth that all may have life and have it abundantly. Satan is the strong man. He is the ancient serpent who deceived Adam and Eve in the prestigious garden of Eden where God kept them to enjoy life and a good relationship with him. He tricked them into exchanging their good life for death. Satan could achieve this because he has an intelligently cunning mind aimed at deceiving, stealing, killing and destroying. However, the joy is that God removed Satan from heaven where he accuses the brethren and also sent Jesus to snatch away his power here on earth that he may deceive no more. 

In the text above, the people were amazed at how swiftly Jesus  chased/cast away demons. Sadly, the same demon entered their minds and twisted it into unbelief. He gave them the suggestion to discredit Jesus' miraculous work in order to downplay his authority in the eyes of the people. However, Jesus caught him red handed. Jesus is wiser than the crafty devil. He immediately disarmed him by explaining the kingdom realities to the naysayers.

 "You cannot take what belongs to the strong man unless you first bind him. Neither can you disarm a strong man unless you're truly more powerful than he" (vs 21-22). Jesus by his total obedience to God earned the right to overpower the devil and take away every authority he may have snatched from Adam. By his death and Resurrection, he dealt him the final blow. Death, Satan's ultimate weapon is also defeated. And by Jesus spirit, all who believe in his work and authority also have this victory over Satan. 

See, Matthew 28:18, after his resurrection, Jesus said "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me". What does this mean? He is the strongest personality in the entire universe. Repentance and forgiveness of sins is preached in his name all over the nations ( Luke 24:47). However, He did warn his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they receive the holy spirit; the comforter and the promise of the father. Whoever has this spirit has Jesus living inside of him. He is a Carrier of the divine authority. He also in the name of Jesus can bind the strong man Satan and plunder his goods, just as the apostles did. Therefore, do not join those who discredit the power of Jesus to bind the strong man. His power is still valid today and is resident in all who are baptised in the fire of the holy ghost.

PRAYER: 

Father, we may fall and falter and even allow Satan to mesmerize us into thinking that we are powerless. By this lesson, you have once again opened our eyes to the spiritual realities. Help us to realize the great power at work in us. That by virtue of Jesus' spirit resident in us, whom you have baptised with fire, we may live up to the calling you placed on us, which is, continuing the work Jesus began till he comes again in glory. Grant us this grace as we pray in his most powerful name. Amen!