Thoughts for the Day

* The fallen angel, Madrid

Now Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This incident where Jesus is accused of being in league with the devil occurs in all three of the Synoptic Gospels, but with some differences. Mark has it that some Scribes have arrived from Jerusalem with the authority of the Sanhedrin to decide if Jesus should be called an "apostate preacher" that is someone who has abandoned the teaching of the Law of Moses. In Luke's account it is the crowd though who accuse him. He makes the same answer, that if that were so then Satan would be fighting himself which would make no sense. No kingdom can stand a civil war in the end. Whereas if Jesus casts out evil then he has won the battle and the Kingdom of God has entered the situation.

Our world is full of accusations and counter accusations. Slanderous comments are slung around in the news and on social media, and it's almost impossible to guess which is right or wrong. In the UK, Government Ministers are even publicly slated before they make announcements, and it seems that anyone can accuse another without evidence. If someone is disliked for whatever reason, it is deemed acceptable to denigrate them. In our private lives we too can be quick to slander others just because we dislike them! One lesson is to wait and look at the end result, for it is God who heals, not Satan; and it is God who will ensure a just outcome ultimately.

However, Jesus goes on to pronounce a dreadful sentence on all who make the wrong choice. He says "Whoever is not with me is against me!" In such a case evil has won in our world when good people do not stand up to support God.

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.
May we be brave enough with Your help
to stand up for what is right and just.
Amen.