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Multimedia Lent Devotional – Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

March 26, 2025

2025:

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent:

  • Scripture (David Dannelley) – Luke 11:14-23
  • Reflection (Karen Sculley)
  • Prayer (Declan Vick)
  • Videos: Luke 11:14-23
  • Music: “Kingdom” (Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13PYVofBFRc

Luke 11:14-23 – Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Jesus often did things that rubbed some people up the wrong way. As often happened, although many were amazed, some accused him of doing evil instead of the good they could all plainly see. After all, a mute person, a person who had been unable to speak, just spoke!

In today’s confrontation, Jesus says something that simultaneously challenges his accusers and accentuates what is really going on – “if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.”

The finger of God. God is the most powerful entity in the entire universe who created all that is, from nothing. We cannot imagine the extent of God’s power. We do know there are powerful people who have great influence in the world, in our nation, in our community. We can understand what might happen if they lifted a mere finger to do something. They could accomplish tremendous good, perhaps by signing over a generous donation, or by enacting a law to empower and protect the poor and marginalized, or by using their social media to rally others to do what promotes human flourishing. Alternatively, they could raise their finger to inflict terrible evil, perhaps by drawing a line between who is “in” and who is “out,” or by making threatening gestures designed to intimidate or control, or by pointing their finger in false accusations against others.

God, the all-powerful one, is also the one who is all-good. When the finger of God does something, it is always to accomplish great good for God’s beloved creation, especially God’s image bearers, every person in every place. Jesus came to inaugurate the kingdom of God and to make it visible to us. Jesus calls us to follow him by continuing to make the kingdom of God visible.

As I look out my window on a spring day, I see new life bursting forth in every twig of every tree. In Luke 6:43-46, Jesus points to this familiar wonder of nature to further illustrate what the kingdom of God is like – “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?”

Lord Jesus, help us to do good and not evil, to support good structures and resist evil ones, so that we may bear good fruit for your kingdom and glory! Help us to do what you tell us as we surrender more fully to your Lordship!

2024:

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent:

2023:

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent:

  • Scripture (Scott Mayhue) – Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
  • Reflection (Tamera Neal)
  • Prayer (Asher)
  • Video: Luke
  • Music: “Sing Hallelujah To The Lord” (Simon Khorolskiy)

Each short Multimedia Lent Devotional is an invitation to set aside time each day during the season preceding Easter. Lent is a solemn 40-day period we observe as we seek to draw near to God prior to the great celebration of Easter. During Lent,

  • we intentionally practice sober reflection, serious repentance, and sincere restitution, in which we more fully recognize our brokenness as humans, looking always to Jesus Christ as our Savior and sanctifier;
  • we seek to live lives marked by simplicity, self-denial, and surrender, in imitation of Christ Jesus, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before He began His public ministry;
  • we look for ways in which we express love for neighbors and nations in need in practical ways through generously giving of our time, talents, and treasures.

This collaboration is brought to you by Liberty Vineyard Church

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