140. Third Sunday in Lent. I.
Lord Jesus, overthrow the power of the devil,
and destroy his kingdom. Amen.
Gospel Lesson, Luke 11, 14-28. 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. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 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. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house, whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea, rather blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
❦
Jesus distinctly teaches that the devil has a kingdom, in which are all unbelieving men and all wicked angels. The devil reigns over them, and uses them in his service to make war on Christ and his people. Those things enumerated by Paul in the epistle lesson for today, such as fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and the like, bear witness to the fact that there is a devil; the men who do these things are the servants of the devil. They will not come to Christ, that they may be delivered from the works and ways of the devil; and so they remain the slaves of the wicked one. But as a rule, they are far from being aware of their condition. Did the Pharisees suppose that they were the devil’s helpers, do you think? Against their own better knowledge they accused Christ of casting out devils through Beelzebub; and yet they did not doubt that they themselves were the righteous children of Abraham. It is one of the devil’s most artful pieces of cunning to hoodwink men and make them blind. Herein he has his greatest strength; and he employs these crafty tactics everywhere. In our times he has induced many to believe that he does not even exist. They are slaves in the most unhappy service of sin; they live in pride, selfishness, and all manner of wickedness; they carry the mark of the devil on their foreheads; and yet they laugh at you who believe that there is a devil. What better method could he adopt for holding his people fast, and for promoting his designs?
None save Jesus is able to deliver us out of the devil’s kingdom. He is the stronger who comes upon the strong; and his weapon is the word of God. This lays bare the lies of Satan, reveals his wicked purpose, shows his abominable filthiness and infernal tyranny, and teaches us to know how unhappy is the condition of man in the devil’s service. By his word the Lord cast the devil out of them that were possessed bodily; and by his word he casts him out of the hearts of men. When his word, which is spirit and life, abides in you, the spirit of lies and of death can find no room in you. When the word which the mouth of the Lord has spoken governs your heart and your tongue, then you serve Christ and renounce the devil. But this is the word of the Lord, that God loves you, a lost and condemned sinner; that Christ died for you, and made the devil powerless; that you are baptized into his victory and his righteousness, and belong to him; and that the devil, therefore, has no authority over you. Blessed are you, if you hear and keep this word. Then you in very truth have that which the word says; and the word shall keep you from again falling into the power of the enemy.
How earnestly should we not have at heart to serve the Lord when we hear from his own lips: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” There is a most intimate connection between these and the harrowing words which follow close after, concerning the return of the unclean spirit to hearts whence he had been cast out. Let each ask himself: Am I with Christ? Do I gather with him? If not, I am with the devil; in which case I do damage to the cause of Christ, and destroy my own soul and other souls, which Christ bought with his blood. Do not rest before you have the testimony of the Spirit, that Jesus has set you free from the power of the devil.
Lord God, teach us to know to whom we belong, and whom we serve. Be gracious unto us, and let us serve thee. Be merciful, and never permit the devil to hold sway in us. God, preserve all who are thine from the wiles of the wicked enemy. Amen.
Jesus, Lord of life and glory,
Bend from heaven thy gracious ear,
While our waiting souls adore thee,
Friend of helpless sinners, hear!
By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord!
From the depth of nature’s blindness,
From the hardening power of sin,
From all malice and unkindness,
From the pride that lurks within,
By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord!
141. Third Sunday in Lent. II.
Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
Epistle Lesson, Ephesians 5, 1-9. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becoming saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. For this we know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth).
❦
The ungodly find their pleasure in sensuality, carnal lusts, and all manner of uncleanness. No matter how fine an appearance they make, their heart is a foul pit out of which issue filthiness and foolish talking and unseemly jesting. With their foul tongue they pollute their own body and fill the mind of others with their venom. It is incredible what atrocious language is indulged in everywhere, on the highway, in the field, across the table. And it is also incredible what a deal of poison there may be in seemingly pretty words which come out of a corrupt heart. — You, however, who believe in Christ, have received a new heart, and this shall be manifest in your whole life and conversation. Hear the admonition of the holy apostle, and walk in the footsteps of Christ! Follow after holiness; do not tolerate wicked, unclean desires in your soul. You are the dwellingplace of God, the workshop of the Holy Ghost; and he shall sanctify you in spirit and soul and body. Look at Jesus; you should be like him, and to this end he will give you his Spirit and grace. A pure heart is a delight to God and his angels, and as a fragrant field to all the saints. The speech then becomes clean and edifying; and it gives grace to them that hear it. Out of the unclean heart proceed evil thoughts and wicked words; but from the pure heart gush forth holy words which put the devil to flight. Strive after this with all possible diligence! Consider how dangerous it is to neglect your sanctification and to allow your tongue unbridled license. If the unclean spirit is gone out, he lies in wait for the purpose of coming in again. If you do not watch, and do not cleanse yourself every day in the blood of Jesus, the devil will accomplish his purpose; and then your last state will be worse than the first. Let it be the burning desire of your heart that you may be sanctified; never allow your zeal in this cause to become cool. Do not at any time let the devil seduce you to make use of foul language, or to indulge in levity of behavior. Watch, watch! for Jesus’ sake, be on your guard; especially at the time when you are happy and seem to be on the best of terms with God and your brethren in the faith, or when good fortune and the riches of this world become yours. Put no trust in yourself; do not imagine that the enemy is far away; do not forget that you carry your flesh and blood about with you all the time; pray God day and night to give you a pure, sanctified mind.
Hold us fast to thee, and draw us after thee, Lord Jesus. Give us grace to walk in love, as dear children, of a sanctified heart. Keep us from all uncleanness in thought and word, in life and deed. Help us to live as Christians should, and to let all the world see that there is a holy people on earth. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us; for we are called by thy name. Amen.
Jesus, still lead on,
Till our rest be won!
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by thy hand
To our fatherland.
If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not doubt and fears o’ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a foe
To our home we go.