"And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
Today's lesson is a complicated one, and one that can very easily be misunderstood so as to appear to teach the wrong message. Maybe we can help clarify the intent of what Jesus said in this lesson.
While studying the New Testament, some forget that Jesus was dealing with the Jewish people except on very few occasions. In today's quote, He preaches to the Jews directly, but is preaching to, and about, the future generations of His Church as well.
While studying the New Testament, some forget that Jesus was dealing with the Jewish people except on very few occasions. In today's quote, He preaches to the Jews directly, but is preaching to, and about, the future generations of His Church as well.
Jesus was explaining to those Jewish doubters that He, Himself, was indeed the promised Messiah and that He, through His upcoming soul redeeming sacrifice, had come to fulfill the old law of the Jews for all who would believe in Him.
In the first part of the lesson, some of the Jews accused Jesus of casting out devils through the power of, and on behalf of, Satan. Jesus explained that it wouldn't make any sense for Satan to cast out his own devils. And that if he did, it would only take from his own power.
In reference to the coming of His Church and its power over the law, Jesus then preached a message of warning, straight at the Jewish leadership, using the an analogy of the "strong man".
The "strong man" represented the Jewish nation under the law, the even "stronger", much more powerful man, represented Jesus Himself and the Church He would establish.
Jesus explained that by the power and authority of God, through His death, burial, and resurrection, He would take all power and authority as spiritual leaders, away from the Jews, and give it to the Gentiles and His Church.
Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses in ever aspect, He lived the perfect, sinfree life. He fulfilled the ritual water immersion requirement when He had John "baptize" Him. He fulfilled the requirement of a blood sacrifice when He was crucified.
This lesson foretold God's taking all power from the Jews and giving it explicity to the Church that Jesus established.
There is one final point that should be made. Jesus made this statement toward the end of today's quote; "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."
I believe this statement still applies to the many different "Christian Churches" today. There is today, just as there was in Jesus day, only one truth. It is the duty of every believer to find it. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:13-15) ~
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