Getting to Know Jesus More #18

Jesus had entered into a new area of ministry: Judea, the area surrounding Jerusalem. It is the spiritual hub of the world. First, in Luke 11, we find that people did not even know how to pray. Next we find this: 

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

The region had a problem nobody wanted to talk about: demons.  Sure, we have seen them elsewhere, yes everywhere Jesus went - sometimes in great numbers, but who would expect them here? The religious leaders tried to keep them quiet, and here so did the demon - try to pretend they do not exist. But that is dangerous; it is like having a subversive rebel in the kingdom.  Whenever Jesus came into an area, demons came out of the woodwork; He was pure perfection, and they did not want Him invading their territory. But Jesus drove them out.  These religious leaders would rather have them stay than have Jesus expose their sin, so the accused Jesus of being the problem -even of being the evil one Himself. Of course, that was total nonsense, but to what length will man go to try to cover up his own sinfulness? It only makes matters worse.