The Stronger Man

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear, that we may learn Your Word together as a family. We give You all praise and honor and glory, in Jesus’ # Walking the Lenten Journey with Christ: Overcoming Sin and Darkness

Good morning, Encouragers.

As we continue our Lenten journey, the Church leads us step by step toward the Cross. She teaches us to walk slowly and honestly, so that we may see more clearly both our sin and our Savior.

On the First Sunday in Lent, we followed our Lord into the wilderness and saw Him withstand the tempter by the Word of God.

On the Second Sunday, we heard of the Canaanite woman and were reminded that true faith clings to Christ and will not let Him go.

And now, on this Third Sunday in Lent, the Church sets before us the reality of spiritual conflict, and the greater power of Christ over the forces of darkness.

That note is sounded plainly in the Collect we prayed this morning: “Stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies.”

That’s strong language. It reminds us that the Christian life is not lived on neutral ground. There is such a thing as evil. There is such a thing as temptation. There is such a thing as the devil. And there is a true battle for the soul.

Now the Church does not teach us to become over-the-top about these things. She teaches us instead to be clear-headed about them.

Lent is a season for truthfulness. It’s a season in which we are called to stop flattering ourselves, to stop pretending that sin is small, and to see clearly how much we need the mercy and strength of God.

In chapter 11 of St. Luke’s Gospel, our Lord casts out a devil from a man who had been made dumb. … The bondage is broken. … The man speaks. … The people marvel. … It is a sign that where Christ comes, captivity gives way to freedom.

But some, seeing this, will not receive it with humble faith. Since they cannot deny the miracle, they try to explain it away. They say that Christ casts out devils by Beelzebub.

Our Lord answers them with plain reason. “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.” If Satan is casting out Satan, then Satan’s kingdom is falling apart. Their accusation is not only wicked; it is foolish.

Then our Lord gives the true meaning of what has happened: “If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

That’s the center of the Gospel for today. In Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God has come near. … Where Christ is, the rule of God is present. … Where Christ reigns, darkness begins to lose its hold.

Then our Lord gives that vivid image: “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 armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”

The strong man is the enemy who holds fallen humanity in bondage. But then comes One stronger. … Christ enters the enemy’s house, strips him of his armor, and takes back what the enemy cannot rightfully keep.

That’s not just a description of a miracle, but of our Lord’s whole saving work. The Son of God came into the world to rescue us. … He came to save sinners. … He came to destroy the works of the devil. … He came to overthrow the tyrant and set captives free.

We like to think of sin as a weakness, a habit, a bad decision. Yet, scripture goes deeper. … Sin is bondage. … Sin darkens the mind, twists the affections, weakens the will, and estranges us from God.

If that’s true, then we do not merely need moral improvement. We need deliverance. … We need a Savior stronger than our sin.

That’s why Lent is not a season for spiritual cosmetics. It’s not the time for a few religious adjustments while leaving the heart unchanged.

It’s a season for repentance. It is a season in which the Church bids us bring the hidden things into the light and submit ourselves again to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord presses that point when He says, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”

There’s no neutrality there. Our Lord doesn’t allow us to admire Him from a distance while reserving the rule of our lives to ourselves. He speaks as Lord. We are either with Him, or we are not.

Now, that does not mean that every faithful Christian is already what he ought to be. But it does mean that the direction of our lives has changed. … It means the heart has changed masters. … It means we are no longer content to live in darkness, no longer at peace with sin.

Then Jesus warns us about the unclean spirit returning to the house that has been swept and garnished. His point is searching: an empty house is a dangerous house.

That’s an important lesson for Lent. The Christian life is not improved merely by giving something up. Repentance from sin is always required, in Lent and out of Lent.

But Lenten discipline often involves giving up things that aren’t sinful. A person might stop eating meat or give up other comforts to practice self-denial and focus more on God.

The danger comes when the outward act remains only outward. We may practice abstinence and yet remain inwardly unchanged. The house may look swept. It may look orderly. But if it is empty, it is still vulnerable.

So, Lent isn’t simply about subtraction. It’s about making room for Christ. We lay aside sin because it must be cast away. We also lay aside certain comforts for a season, so that by voluntary self-denial we may be schooled in holiness.

And all of it is meant to lead somewhere: to prayer, … repentance, … Scripture, … obedience, … charity, … worship, and the grace of Christ.

Our Epistle this morning from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians says the same thing in a different way. Paul writes, “Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

Notice that he doesn’t say they were in darkness. He says they “were” darkness. That was the old condition apart from Christ. But now, in Christ, they are light in the Lord. Therefore, live accordingly.

And St. Paul names some of the works of darkness: uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, and corrupt speech. The world excuses such things, but Holy Scripture tells the truth. These things deform the soul. They train the heart away from God.

So Lent calls each of us to honest examination.

Where have I grown careless? Where have I made peace with some cherished sin? Where have I let darkness remain because I have grown used to it? Where am I resisting Christ rather than yielding to Him?

These are not easy questions, yet they are merciful questions. The Lord shows our weaknesses so we can be healed. He reveals, so we can be cleansed.

And this is where the altar comes into view.

All of this would be crushing if Lent were only a season of diagnosis. But thanks be to God, it is not. The One who shows us our bondage is Himself the One who breaks it. The stronger man isn’t our enemy. He’s our Redeemer.

And where does He gather His redeemed people? He gathers them here, in His Church, around His Word, and at His altar.

We don’t come to the altar because we have conquered sin in our own strength. We come because Christ has conquered.

We don’t come because we are strong enough. We come because He is the stronger man. We come confessing our need.

And here, He doesn’t cast away the penitent. … He feeds them. … He strengthens them. … He gives them His very Self.

He who has triumphed over sin, death, and hell gives His Body and Blood for the strengthening and refreshing of our souls.

Lent ought to move us humbly, thankfully, and believingly toward the altar with deeper seriousness, deeper repentance, and deeper faith.

Our lives aren’t sustained by empty determination. We’re sustained by communion with Christ. The swept house must not remain empty. Christ Himself must dwell within.

So, as we continue this holy season, let’s not be content merely to tidy the outer rooms of life. Let’s ask the Lord to enter and rule the whole house.

Let’s bring what is hidden into His light. … Let’s hear His Word and keep it. … Let’s repent where repentance is needed.

And let’s come to the altar remembering that the One who calls us there is stronger than Satan, … stronger than sin, … and stronger than death.

And because He’s stronger, we need not despair. In the time of our trouble, we call upon Him, and He hears us. Mercy is available. … Forgiveness is real. … Hope is certain.

For the stronger man has come, and the kingdom of God has come upon us in Jesus Christ.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.