Seeds for 08/25/2023 - Matthew 12:25-29
Scripture: Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.”
Observation: Yesterday we noticed the difference in responses to Jesus’ healing work between the people—ordinary folks—and the Pharisees. The people turned to curiosity; the Pharisees rushed to dismissiveness. But their rationale had logical problems, which Jesus addressed head-on.
There seem to be two pieces at work.
First, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”
This is simply an iron law of the universe. Division from within means the battle is typically over before it has even begun. This is why alignment is so important. If you and I are pulling a load in the same direction, we can move it effectively. But if we are not aligned in our purpose and efforts, then not only are we laboring to move the weight of the load, we must also deal with the added strain of working against one another’s efforts. Say what you will about Satan, Jesus suggests here that he is aligned in his purposes—he has bad plans for you and I and is focused on bringing them about—he’s certainly not distracted by a temptation to do good or to benefit someone.
So, if Satan is aligned in his purposes, then Jesus is all the more so. He’s not employing demons to cast out demons. How we get to the goal matters. The process is as important as the result or outcome. It’s not enough to heal the man and deliver him from demonic possession, He must do so with integrity about who He is and how He works.
Second, “if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out?”
This is fascinating. Jesus places His work in a broader context. It seems like He doesn’t claim to be the only one driving out demons. In which case, He turns the tables on His accusers. This is a “if it’s good for the goose, its good for the gander” kind of point and brings up a shortsightedness on the part of the Pharisees. They seem to have forgotten that throwing around a bogus accusation invites a boomerang effect whereby they are hit with the same sloppy logic next.
Application:
When have you stuck to your guns about doing something the right way, even when you could have achieved your desired outcome sooner by compromising?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, lead me to alignment of heart, mind, body, and soul, that I may accomplish the works you have for me in a manner that glorifies you. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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