May 6 - Divided Kingdom

Matthew 12:24-30

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 

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. 

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Any good set of parents knows that when it comes to raising children, they either stand together or they are crushed by those younger than them who insist on testing every boundary that has been set.  It never occurred to us, as children, to play our parents against each other.  Now, we could get Mom to give a little when Dad was too strict, but we knew full well, that when push came to shove, the two of them stood together.

Jesus Christ couldn't believe that the Pharisees would accuse him of being one with the demons. How in the world could he drive out demons, if he was a demon?  If there are two warring factions in the same unit, there is no strength.

But, he also made sure they knew He had come from God and if they were not going to stand with him, they weren't part of the kingdom His Father was establishing.  Why in the world would God want people coming into His kingdom if they did not accept His Son?

And though the Pharisees didn't know it at the time, the purpose of Jesus’ arrival on earth was to be completed at the cross.  That extraordinary sacrifice changed humanity and whether or not you believe, changes your eternity.

There will be a day when we are asked on which side of the line we stand. God’s house is not divided, nor should we expect it to be.