Jesus and Beelzebul - Matthew 12:22-29
Jesus and Beelzebul
22 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. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 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. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 “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.
Reflection: Jesus continues to show what life is like when the kingdom of God is at hand, or upon us. Of course the biggest opposition to God's kingdom is the kingdom of darkness, or Satan's kingdom. Whereas God's kingdom brings us freedom for what we are supposed to be doing, Satan's kingdom is an obstacle or obstruction to God's reign. And in this case it is manifest in a man who was both blind and mute. Two integral parts to what make us human, sight and speech were taken from this man. So Jesus heals or restores this man to have both of these faculties back, so he can praise God and see God's creation.
The Pharisees instead of rejoicing in this man's healing, attribute it to Beelzebul, another name for Satan. They make a ridiculous argument that Jesus is casting out this demon out by Satan's power. Jesus says why would Satan cast himself out? For Satan to cast himself out would be to divide his own kingdom. But, in fact, Satan's kingdom is in direct conflict with Jesus' kingdom, so there would be no reason for Satan to divide his own kingdom, or aid and abet God's kingdom through healing. The Pharisees are so desperate to discredit Jesus that they even use this illogical argument which Jesus quickly dismisses.
But, in fact, Jesus' casting out the demons is another sign that God's kingdom is at hand. It is a sign that in Christ there is freedom from forces of evil that seek to bring us into bondage. The Pharisees are more interested in their own power or authority and so they don't rejoice that God's kingdom is coming on earth as it is in heaven. The question for us today is in what ways do we block God's kingdom coming on earth through our wanting to be in control.
As Martin Luther said in the Small Catechism, "God's kingdom will surely come the question is will it come through us." God's kingdom cannot be stopped by the wiles of Satan, or the pride and control of men and women who have been given earthly power. We must be careful because all of us can be tempted to be prideful, or think that we are in control.
Jesus May your kingdom come on earth today as it is in heaven. Your will be done in our lives as we allow Your Holy Spirit to lead and guides us in Your holy name. Amen.
22 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. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 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. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 “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.
Reflection: Jesus continues to show what life is like when the kingdom of God is at hand, or upon us. Of course the biggest opposition to God's kingdom is the kingdom of darkness, or Satan's kingdom. Whereas God's kingdom brings us freedom for what we are supposed to be doing, Satan's kingdom is an obstacle or obstruction to God's reign. And in this case it is manifest in a man who was both blind and mute. Two integral parts to what make us human, sight and speech were taken from this man. So Jesus heals or restores this man to have both of these faculties back, so he can praise God and see God's creation.
The Pharisees instead of rejoicing in this man's healing, attribute it to Beelzebul, another name for Satan. They make a ridiculous argument that Jesus is casting out this demon out by Satan's power. Jesus says why would Satan cast himself out? For Satan to cast himself out would be to divide his own kingdom. But, in fact, Satan's kingdom is in direct conflict with Jesus' kingdom, so there would be no reason for Satan to divide his own kingdom, or aid and abet God's kingdom through healing. The Pharisees are so desperate to discredit Jesus that they even use this illogical argument which Jesus quickly dismisses.
But, in fact, Jesus' casting out the demons is another sign that God's kingdom is at hand. It is a sign that in Christ there is freedom from forces of evil that seek to bring us into bondage. The Pharisees are more interested in their own power or authority and so they don't rejoice that God's kingdom is coming on earth as it is in heaven. The question for us today is in what ways do we block God's kingdom coming on earth through our wanting to be in control.
As Martin Luther said in the Small Catechism, "God's kingdom will surely come the question is will it come through us." God's kingdom cannot be stopped by the wiles of Satan, or the pride and control of men and women who have been given earthly power. We must be careful because all of us can be tempted to be prideful, or think that we are in control.
Jesus May your kingdom come on earth today as it is in heaven. Your will be done in our lives as we allow Your Holy Spirit to lead and guides us in Your holy name. Amen.
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