A Kingdom Divided

Then they brought to Jesus a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” Matthew 12:22-32

We live in a very divided, very contentious country. We also have known and do know a divided church at times. We have all witnessed when people of good will are shut down for political reasons, for greed and so one ego can triumph over another. All of our divisions are fear based. When we choose for self and not for God, when we choose power instead of love, we all loose. There is no gain in strident winning.

The religious leaders were trying to take Jesus down because they were afraid his love and healing would "win" the day. He knew their hearts, they were not in their roles for God but for power. He knew their fears and offered them the truth. Love cannot be destroyed by petty despots. God's goodness and abundance is given freely, is never shut out, never lost despite the politics and potentates of the day. God invites us to double our efforts for love and healing. There is no power in the world that can conquer the love of God!

Today, I ask God to help me love those who differ from me, those who are trying to destroy me and my ministry and those who wish to do others harm. May we pray for those who oppose us and  double our efforts to give the world the love of God, so needed today.