Let’s explore the Parable of the Strongman. Let’s review an interpretation of this story where Jesus is the Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom. Jesus binds him and plunders his house. He casts out his dark servants and takes his possessions. Taking back those who have been bound by the enemy. Jesus as the Marauder of the Strongman.
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom is a look at the elements in Scripture that references the parable of The Strongman. There are passages below in Matthew, Mark and Luke from the New Testament. There is also a quick passage from the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas.
Matthew 12:22-30 (KJV)
22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
A Temptation Challenge
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom
A possessed person was brought to Jesus as a healer. The man was blind and dumb. Jesus healed him and he was able to see and to speak. So the people questioned if he was the son of David. They were asking if Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior.
Pharisees and Scribes
There were Pharisees who were the local religious leaders who favored traditions over Biblical Direction. They used their influence to gain power and to control the people.
There were also Scribes who were the Scriptural Experts who interpreted the meaning of the scriptures. They were the scholars and educated men.
The Accusation
The Pharisees and Scribes heard that Jesus was casting out devils. They accused Jesus of casting out the devils by the power of Satan. And not by way of a Divine intervention. His actions were an obvious threat to their power and influence. Jesus was introducing some rebellious ideas which could force change. If he was the Messiah it would destroy all that they had built up for themselves. And it would free the people from all the excessive rules. Also nullifying traditions they had put in place.
Jesus Pointed out that if he was casting out devils by the power of Satan how were the devils being cast out by their children. He pointed out that they should be their judge. He referenced this because the Jewish people also practiced the casting out of devils. This argument supported how frivolous the allegation was.
The Temptation
So in an effort to tempt him they challenged Jesus. They asked him to give them a sign from Heaven. To prove to them it was by the power of God. But Jesus knew that they had already met about how to discredit him and destroy him. He had let them know that the Son of man was Lord even over the Sabbath Day. And He was aware of their intentions.
Luke 11:14-23 (KJV)
14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
The Divided Kingdom and The Strongman
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom
The Divided Kingdom
Jesus answered them with the illustration of the Divided Kingdom. He indicated that any Kingdom divided against itself will fall. And any house divided against it self will also fall. The division will cause the end. He suggests conflicting interests. Why would the enemy put a demon into a man to torment him then send another to take it out? Why would the enemy want to decrease his resources?
If the enemy casts out his own dark servants he divides his own Kingdom. How will his kingdom stand. Such an argument made no sense. Casting out the devils worked against the enemies goals.
But if it is God who has cast them out, then clearly it is the Kingdom of God who has come. And the Son, the Messiah has come to earth.
The Strongman
Jesus proceeded to teach them with the parable of the Strongman. He says when the strongman is armed he keeps his possessions in peace. He is ready for battle. There is no one to challenge him. But when the one who is stronger comes he puts forth a challenge. And the Strongman, the Enemy is bound so his possessions can be taken from him. For it takes someone stronger to defeat him.
Mark 3:22-30 (KJV)
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
The Choice of Salvation
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom
Spiritual Battle of the World
While we are “of the world” we are in the house of the Strongman. His house is his Spiritual darkness. His kingdom filled with all the elements of sin. We are a possession of the enemy in his kingdom. Unfortunately this is because we have chosen his world. The enemy owns this world and all that lives in it. And it is sin that governs us under his rein. Our love of money, materialism, physical pleasures, cruelty, deviance and all things for our own selfish indulgent pleasures. All things that are not of the Spirit.
The enemy is a liar and he seeks to devour us. He seeks our destruction and he seeks our death. But there are provisions for our wants and desires. Because we are “of the world” the enemy who is much stronger deceives us. He binds us to him in our weakness and the battle awaits. The enemy is armed and ready. But one stronger than he makes a challenge. He is overcome and souls taken from him. His armor destroyed leaving him nowhere to hide. One who is stronger than the enemy setting us free.
Jesus is the Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom. With the sword of the spirit he comes into his house to take his possessions. Jesus is stronger than the Strongman. He ties him up and binds his power. Jesus removes the enemies possessions and delivers them from the clutches of sin. He binds the darkness in favor of his light in a spiritual battle between good and evil. Because we are given free will we are allowed to choose. It is a battle for the strongman’s house, the world.
The Unforgivable Sin
Jesus also warns us against rejection of the message of Salvation. He warns us not to ignore the message. Also warning us not to willingly embrace the enemy and his power. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is the unforgiveable sin. If you do not ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you can not be saved. The only way to the Father is through the Son.
Jesus grants us the choice of Eternal Salvation.
The Gospel of Thomas #35
Jesus says:
(1) “It is not possible for someone to enter the house of a strong (person) (and) take it by force unless he binds his hands.
(2) Then he will loot his house.”
Gather or Scatter
The Marauder of the Enemy’s Kingdom
Jesus teaches that those who are not with him are against him. And he who does not gather with him will scatter. He is teaching us that if we are not sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ we are hindering the Kingdom. And if we are not teaching the Gospel we are scattering the flock…
Jesus has taken us a step further in this message. Eternal Salvation is a Choice he gives to us through accepting him as the Son of God. And accepting him as the Messiah. Walking with Jesus in the light prevents casting a shadow on the path.
Jesus requires your commitment to him. And he requires your belief in him through faith. For if you have not committed to your belief in him, you are against him.
Working in Tandem:
For the Love of God,
Sparks
