Mark 3:27

Passage

Jesus continues His teaching by saying that nobody can enter a strongman’s house unless he first binds the strongman.  Then – and only then – can the strongman’s house be plundered.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The name Beelzebub literally means “Lord of the Lofty Abode” – more generically it means “master of the house.”  That is important to understand as we look at this teaching.  Jesus is speaking of the strongman and speaking of plundering the house of the strongman.  In the parable, it is Satan who is the “strong man” of this world or the “master of the house!”  We must take a moment to really make sure that we understand this point.  Yes, creation was made by God.  Yes, God has ultimate dominion over creation.  God’s power is absolute.  However, Jesus is acknowledging here that the physical realm is in the iron grip of Satan on account of our sinfulness.  This parable only makes sense if we understand that Jesus is acknowledging that Satan is the strongman.

How does it make you feel internally to think of Satan as the strongman?  Do you have any internal resistance to accepting Satan as the power of this world?  (If you want to read more on Jesus’ perception of Satan’s power in this world, look to John 12:31, John 14:30, and John 16:11)

Second Thought:

Of course, this is Jesus talking about His mission here on earth.  Jesus has come to claim those who are God’s children out of this world.  Therefore, He must literally come into Satan’s house and bind up Satan.  Only when Satan is bound can Jesus plunder what at the time belonged to Satan.  He has come to plunder Satan’s world and take what he can out of it.  To put it quite bluntly, Jesus has come to bind up Satan so that He can claim living souls for God.  He came to bind up Satan so that He could claim you and me!

How does it feel to know that you and I are the objects of this parable?  How does it feel to know that Jesus came to bind up this strongman of this world so that you and I can know God and be taken out of this world?  How does this thought help you reflect on what it means to be a disciple and your desire to be one?

Third Thought:

Now we can truly grasp why Jesus speaks about a house divided not being able to stand.  He hasn’t come to work with Satan but to actively take over portions of His kingdom.  Jesus has quite literally come to “rob Satan.”  The question for the true disciple is: where am I? 

Are you still a part of Satan’s world or are you a part of the world that Jesus has claimed?  How do you know?  When is it easy to go back to being a part of the “strongman’s house?”

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 3:28-30