The Kingdom of God has Come to You

Then they brought to him 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

Sometimes it is hard to sort out good intentions from bad ones. Sometimes we have leaders who say all the right things and acts so differently in private. We have all had experiences that have turned out badly and we have been taken advantage of. We can be hurt deeply by these experiences and fail to trust those who are really acting for our good. Jesus is healing a man who could not see or speak. The religious leaders claimed his work was evil. They did that mostly because they were jealous and angry with Jesus. He was making them look bad. Those who bring light, healing, kindness and justice are those who have the heart or kingdom of God. May we be those today.

Gracious Creator, you draw near to us all

Breathing healing and justice upon sus

And calling us to be agents of your presence.

We have been hurt and fail to trust anyone 

We fail to see the heart of God.drawing near

And we refuse to take on or share your justice.

Help us to put aside our hurts and fears, Lord

Turning again to be open to your healing love

So justice and healing might run down on us all. Amen.