Remain delivered
While Jesus was casting out a demon and done so, some people still insisted that he gave them a sign from heaven, as if the casting of the demon was not enough a sign. The miracles that God has done in our lives serve as signs from heaven to those around us. We have been delivered from demonic oppressions, illnesses, financial hardship, and the list goes on, of which testify God’s doing. God’s deliverance is at the free will of the delivered, a person can decide how long he/she can stay in that stance. Jesus said that when an evil spirit leaves a person it wonders looking for a clean place to live, but when it does not find one it returns back home (Lk11:25-26). We have to strive to remain in that state of deliverance and not hide it. Jesus said that no one lights a bushel and puts it under a bowl but on a candle stick holder, so that everyone can see it (Lk11:33). The religious people were asking for a sign, and not because they wanted to believe but to be confrontational but the only sign that was given to them was that of the prophet Jonah.
Luke 11:29-32
29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.
Jonah was sent by God to preach to the people of Nineve, but because he knew who this people were Jonah decided not to go and headed in a different direction. As we, know God stirred up a storm and put Jonah as the sign from heaven for the storm. The men on the boat believed the sign and repented offering a peace offering (Jon1:15-16). Nineve was the capital city of Assyria a very cruel people full of all sorts of wickedness. In fact, the name of Nineve takes after their god Ishtar. After Jonah prays and is vomited out of the fish he goes and preaches to the entire city causing a massive repentance movement in this once cruel city, from the king to every animal. Now Jonah knew that once he had preached that the people would repent, and God would have changed his destructive plan (Jon4:2), and therefore ran. He was afraid of the outcome once he served as a sign. Many believers fear what others will say if they come out of the box. But people need hope in this time and age. They need someone to come out and testify and showing what God has done in us. Jesus said that we need to let our light shine before men (Mt5:16). Like this demon possessed man from the Gadarenes, whom after Jesus freed him tells him to go home and tell everyone what God had done on him (Lk8:38-39), so is our mission.
25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”
Luke 11:33
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
Jonah 4:2
2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 8:38-29
38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.