Scripture

“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.”

Observation

Some teachers of the law and some Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus to prove that he is the Messiah. Jesus replies that only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a sign. The only sign that Jesus will give them is the sign of Jonah for He will lie in the earth for three days and nights.

All kinds of people will stand in judgement against this generation. Someone greater than Jonah or Solomon is here, but they refuse to listen.

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest. It then returns to its former host where it finds its home swept clean and empty. So it invites seven more evil spirits to live there. That person is then worse off than before.

Application

The details of demon expulsion seem to be a bit vague for most of us. Jesus here says that the expelled demon goes into the desert or wilderness, but cannot find a comfortable dwelling place. It may then return to the person it was cast out of.

Of course this is somewhat pictorial language. Demons don’t go off to live in the literal desert. Jesus is emphasising that people can be subjected to further torment if all you do is cast out a demon.

Something needs to fill the vacuum lift by the evil spirit, namely the Holy Spirit. A person who just has an experience of God’s power without being “possessed”or transformed by God becomes worse off than before.

Everyone who practices deliverance ministry must also preach the gospel and encourage people to leave satan’s kingdom and enter God’s Kingdom for good.

Prayer

Lord, you are greater than any created thing. Help me to trust you for victory over every evil spirit. Amen.

Scripture

“You would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of the scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’“

Observation

Jesus and his disciples walk through some grain fields on the Sabbath. Some of the disciples are hungry so they break off some heads of grain to eat.

Some Pharisees complain to Jesus that his disciples are breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus points out that David did something similar and that the priests also work on the Sabbath.

Jesus quotes the Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.”

Jesus goes into the synagogue where there is a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees ask Jesus if the law allows people to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that if they had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, they would rescue it. A person is more valuable than a sheep, so He heals the man.

Application

The problem with legalism is that it blinds you to love and to God.

Legalism encourages self-righteousness when we obey the law, and despair when we fail.

The Pharisees were so obsessed with the minutiae of the law that they forgot to rejoice in the miracles. Instead of being awe struck, they were cynical to the point of being murderous.

Legalism can be as blunt as “You can’t do that,” or as subtle as “You ought to do this.”

A person who is genuinely in love with the Lord Jesus will often find themselves in trouble with the religious crowd. Their love and compassion for other people, especially the people that seem unworthy or unclean, will be tainted by their association with sinners.

Prayer

Lord, please let your compassion grow in me to such an extent that I am drawn out of the safe places. Amen.