Lent 3 2025

· Intro

o This person has his speech restored, speech being one of the ways we have the image of God stamped on us.

· The Text

o Verse 14 - This person has his speech restored, speech being one of the ways we have the image of God stamped on us.

§ They recognize the marvel that is playing out here.

o Verse 15 - The crowds were amazed but Jesus still had his skeptics. How can they discredit such a potent miracle? It must have been demonic.

o Verse 16 - And still others where not ready to say yes or no…they wanted to see more.

o Verse 17 - Jesus is the divine Son of God so he knows the thoughts of the people. He answers those who think he is demonic himself. Civil war weakens both parties…Satan would never allow such a thing.

o Verse 19 - There must have been other exorcists around. Almost certainly not as capable as Jesus, hence the surprise at his work. The Pharisees’ less capable work is seen as virtue, but Jesus is seen as wicked for the son of being capable.

o Verse 20 - Jesus confronts them with the choice.

§ If this is the work of God, then God’s kingdom has arrived, and its time to get on board.

§ The Kingdom of Satan is darkness disorder, chaos. The kingdom of God is light, reordered life.

o Verse 21&22 – The Parable: Satan can resist all powers but one.

§ If Jesus were working against the ailments of Satan from a place of satanic motivation…Satan would win.

o Verse 23 – There is no fence sitting, its either yes or its no to the coming of Jesus kingdom.

o And what it means to be healed but not quote transformed.

· Applications.

o Remember the spiritual element of human sickness, especially sickness that won’t go away. We life with such amazing medicine, but sometimes we need spiritual solutions.  

o Continue to be awed by the miracles of God. This scripture does not celebrate waiting back to see more. In his wisdom God has giving us life, we are relatively healthy, prosperous. In the waters of baptism he has given us new eyes and new ears to see him and to hear him. And from time to time we see the healings of Christ in the church.

o Say yes to the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the reign of Christ on this world, and it will grow and grow until all things come under the subjection of Christ. Some will come under Christ willingly and other will be forced into it when makes his final conquer.

· Pastoral: We absolutely need Jesus. Without him, we can clean the house for a moment only to have times 7 of the demonic come back and harm us further. But if you are officially of Jesus Christ the house that is your heart is under his protection. When you were baptized you were given full citizenship in the kingdom of God. Your heart is now his property to protect from the demonic, cling to Christ when the devil assail you with temptations, with lies.

o Remember the Cross is where Jesus went toe to toe with the devil and won. He has the upper hand creation is being restored by Jesus.

o John 10:10 If it smells like destruction that is the devil and if it smells like peace it is Christ.

o And today experience the rest of being Jesus, come have the meal that he paid for with is blood. His death, his sacrifice make this space available to his people, let us prepare to be his guest