Tag: house divided
Which power flows through Jesus?
Scripture reading for January 16th: Matthew 12
Jesus had a hard time with the religious leaders of His day. “Going from that place, He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:9-12) Jesus went on to heal the man’s hand that very Sabbath. The religious leaders then began to plot to kill Him! They loved to play their religious games by the rules that they had made up!
Aware of their plotting, Jesus withdrew to another place. “Then they brought Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”” (Matthew 12:22-24) These same religious people drew another wrong conclusion about the power that Jesus was operating in. They chose to believe Jesus was under Satan’s influence! Jesus politely instructed them that “Every kingdom divided against itself would be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25-26) Satan’s kingdom and power can only be defeated by God’s power! Let’s be careful to discern the real Jesus and His divine power!
Possessed by the devil!
Scripture reading for February 18th: Mark 3:7-30, Psalms 37:1-11, Proverbs 10:3-4
Jesus called twelve disciples and designated them as apostles. His purpose was for them to experience life in His presence and learn from Him and then to send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. (Mark 3:13-14) Jesus wanted His followers to know Him by personal experience and to catch His heart as He preached the good news, healed the sick and cast out demons. (Mark 3:10-12) The good news was that the kingdom of heaven was near and all men should repent. (Mark 1:15) This message was opposed by the kingdom of Satan and his demonic spirits. A war was taking place in the spiritual realm as the King of the kingdom of heaven cast out the demons of the kingdom of Satan.
Jesus’ family heard about all that was happening and they were concerned and came to where Jesus was. A crowd had gathered with many seeking Jesus and the family members said, “He is out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21)They thought Jesus had gone crazy with this preaching and casting out demons.
“The teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the price of demons He is driving out demons.”(Mark 3:22) Jesus called them together and gave them a parable. “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand. his end has come.” (Mark 3:23-26) The religious leaders of the day were quick to offer an analysis of Jesus’ method of driving out demons. They accused Jesus of using Satan’s power to drive them out. Jesus gave them a quick lesson on why that was wrong reasoning. The only way to drive out Satan, was to have superior power from God.
Jesus then warned them about their line of reasoning. “I tell you the truth, all sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he is guilty of eternal sin.” (Mark 3:28-29) Jesus’ power came through the Holy Spirit. To accuse Jesus of using satanic power was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! They were on dangerous ground of being eternally condemned! This is something to ponder!