Third Sunday in Lent (2026)

Luke 11:14-28

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we find here in the Gospel lesson today that part of Jesus ministry involved casting out demons, and dealing with the forces of Satan here on earth. This should be no surprise given that Satan’s kingdom seeks to enslave all mankind to sin, death, and wants to drag all men into hell with them as they are banished to that presence which God Himself created for them. What we witness here is the work of our great champion, our defender, our advocate, who does not allow the power of Satan to go unchecked, but intervenes and rescues us that we may not perish in our sins, but be brought to everlasting life.

The Forces of Satan

Demons are fallen angels.

This surprises people, that angels could fall, but they were led astray by Satan, we don’t know how exactly he did this, but we know he did, but he is their leader. Since they were angels, spiritual beings that were created by God and served in the heavenly realms, this means

This means they are powerful.

We see the work of God’s angels as He sends them out to accomplish His will and purpose, overthrowing nations, destroying 185,000 men in a single night. The name itself just means messenger, and they have quite a bit of power and ability, and so we want to be on guard. For our own, we cannot defeat or ovethrow them and that’s why this man needed Jesus’ help. But accused Jesus of casting out demons using Satan. Jesus quickly corrects his opponents because

Their strength fails if they are divided.

The demons, and Satan are not divided, but are of one mind, and one purpose. It sounds strange, because we see the demons at work in many different areas. That demons would give to one preternatural strength, knowledge of strange tongues, divination, but would make others mute, or throw them in fire, and it seems diverse so how can they have one purpose? Well

Satan’s Goal is

To move you from the Word.

It doesn’t matter how he accomplishes that, but that is his continued aim to result in the destruction of mankind and to punish the creation, because he cannot attack the creator. He was defeated in heaven, and he was defeated here on earth, and at the ascension of Christ, Satan was bound until we draw near to the end. But his forces are still at work to lead people astray.

His forces are at work in the idols.

The Scriptures in both the old and new testament talk about how what sits behind the idols even are demons, and that is why we avoid the pagan religions, because it isn’t just a piece of stone, or a piece of wood, or gold, the demonic is at work there to lead you away from the Word. Before you dismiss this, you need to know that this includes

This includes spirit guides.

Be they spirits that a medium summons up to talk through a oujia board, or through meditations to contact the spiritual realm, or past lives, or whatever language is being used. The demonic sits behind it and they don’t care what you call them so long as they move you away from the Word. So they are around, and they still come up today, and we need to be on guard lest we fall into their traps and schemes. For we cannot fight them on our own, rather we look to

The Strength of Christ

Jesus is greater than all angels.

Jesus isn’t just a man who attained godhood, no. He is eternal, and Jesus is of one substance with the Father, and all things were made through Him. This is why Christ was able to cast out all the demons, and they had to submit to him, for even though they hate him, and despise him who is their judge and will banish them to their prison, which is hell. They have to bow their knee to the King of Kings.

Jesus casts down satan.

That’s what this parable that Jesus tells is about, it’s a short one about a man being overpowered by a stronger man. We were unable to defeat this foe, and so Christ entered into the world, where Satan thought he was strong and had the spoils of the corruption of creation secure, and Jesus said no. He defeated Satan that he might enter into the world and claim what Satan had stolen from God that He might restore these treasures to their rightful owner and that owners home. When

Jesus takes home the spoils, that’s you.

We were all born under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own, and He does so by the Water and the Word and gives you that Divine Name that calls you God’s own kid. God cleanses your sins that you might be part of God’s everlasting Kingdom. You are who Jesus came to rescue, because we were all held captive under sin until Christ freed us. So

Jesus Offers Hope

Jesus destroys Satan’s kingdom.

The world would have us think that this is all there is, that all we have is this life, and if that is the case then cancers, strokes, diseases, and death take on a note of finality that make one wonder why try, why bother, what hope is there for any of us? Jesus has overthrown Satan’s kingdom, and if he has the power to defeat Satan, then

Who is too far gone?

Whose sins are too great, too many, too atrocious that they could not be handled by Jesus. This is why we can share the message of Law and Gospel with all people, for we know that no matter their background, no matter their past, that Jesus has come for them. There is hope of their salvation because

Jesus heals the heart.

That’s what changes a person, when the Gospel takes root in their heart, and when people come into the church after being freed from Satan and his stronghold, they aren’t going to be perfect, its going to take love and patience for them to grow into the faith, for when you become a christian its like being born as a child. You won’t be perfect, and they need help, because we witness that many fall back into sin. But

Why Do Some Fall Again?

Satan is a sore loser.

Make no mistake, and change even change given by the Son of God himself is still new and a bit uncomfortable to us and we need help to stay away from that life which would keep us enslaved. Because that is a place we know, and despite the problems and pains that come with it, its tempting to sleep back into the numbing pleasures of sin, that promises a sweet sleep if we stay in that darkness. But

This is why we remain in the Word.

For a new Christian it is vital for without the Word, we starve unto death, and we have to be on guard for no one here is so strong that they can remain a Christian without Jesus and without the Word. If that were possible, we wouldn’t have needed Jesus at all. So

What if you fall?

What if you find yourself back in the stronghold of Satan, if you slip back into that world and suddenly find yourself where you don’t want to be. Don’t let Satan convince you that these chains must remain, remember the Words and the Promises that God has given to you, and that he has called you His own dear child. Yes, you will on days forget this, and you will fall, like Adam, Eve, David, Samson, Peter, Paul and many Christians who have gone before you. For when Satan assaults us, it isn’t just the outside world but even our own flesh can be brought against us, there’s only one who has been able to endure through all those pains and temptations, and He was fighting for you. So come back to the house of your Father, for Christ has opened that door for you to come home.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Satan and his forces are no joke, they are angels who fell from grace, and wield terrifying and frightening power, but we dare not let them convince they are the strongest or most powerful force in the universe, for the Creator is on our side, and the Son of God, that Word made flesh came down to bind Satan and seal him up until that proper time. There is no temptation that we face that is not common to all mankind, but let us not fall victim to them, rather hold on to the Word and keep it close to your heart, for it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, and it guides us out of darkness and into the light of Christ’s Kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.