A guide to the kingdom of God

Read > Luke 11:14-28

Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me (v. 23).

My wife and I have loads of guidebooks on our shelves. They’re for New York, India, Barcelona, Dublin, and the Dominican Republic. We’ve only been to a few of those places, but the books are supposed to help us check out the destinations in advance. If I read, “Amazing food and endless places to explore,” I’d book plane tickets in a flash. But if I read, “One of the most boring places on earth,” that location wouldn’t make it on the itinerary.

Jesus’ words and actions in Luke 11 act as a “guidebook” for the kingdom of God. If you’ve ever wondered (as my wife and I do when planning our holidays), “What’s it like and how do I get there?” then part of the answer is here in Jesus’ words.

As the curtain rises, Jesus stands accused of being “empowered by Satan” (v. 18). What an accusation to make of Him! But Jesus shows that this is no demonic civil war (v. 17). Though Satan is powerful, Jesus is the “stronger” man before whom Satan is powerless (vv. 21-22). Jesus’ ability to cast out demons “by the power of God” was proof that “the kingdom of God [had] arrived” (v. 20). His example should inspire you and me as we pursue kingdom-living.

And how to get there? That becomes clear by verses 27-28. The woman in verse 27 was right: It would be great to have Jesus in your family. But that won’t necessarily get you into the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice” (v. 28).

I’ve never seen a guidebook that boasts, “Power over the rule of Satan and all his minions.” But we can have great confidence that, because of Jesus, the kingdom of God includes just that! – Jon Lindsay

More >

·         Mark 1:21-28

·         Luke 9:37-43

·         Acts 16:16-18

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How does Jesus’ defeat of Satan on the cross encourage you in living the Christian life? How will you put the Word of God into practice today?