Thoughts for the Day

* Sculpture of the fallen angel Lucifer.

Then Jesus went home and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat... And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus has been making a name for himself in Galilee, preaching in the synagogues, healing the people, and carrying out other miracles. Suddenly some Scribes have arrived from Jerusalem to decide if he should be called an "apostate preacher" that is someone who has abandoned the teaching of the Mosaic Law. The Scribes come from the ruling body, the Sanhedrin, and have a lot of authority. They accuse Jesus of being obsessed by Satan, not any devil but by Satan himself, and intend to declare all his work as evil. However, Jesus points out that would actually mean that Satan was fighting himself, and this would make no sense.

This little incident in Mark's Gospel might help us when we need to make a big decision. Jesus is saying his accusers should look at the end result of his work. It is God who heals, not Satan. When we need to make any important decision we should involve God at the beginning, weigh up the pros and cons, and look at the likely outcome. Finally ask two questions: Will there be a just outcome for myself and for others? Or will my decision affect others negatively? Be honest, and choose wisely with God's help.

Lord Jesus,
You know that sometimes
we find it difficult to make decisions
that are true to our faith.
Guide us to a conclusion
that is just and fair,
and that reflects all
that You have taught us.
Amen.