17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
In our verses for today, Jesus responds to the charge that He was possessed by Satan himself when casting out the demon from the demoniac, thus indicating the accuser’s belief that Jesus was actually using Satan’s power to thrust out the demon. Jesus’ response shows how absurd it would be for Satan to cast out Satan (his own demons)! It would most certainly weaken Satan’s position and kingdom. When people do not understand a phenomenon and are perhaps frightened by what they have experienced, they often resort to making all sorts of charges and claims in an attempt to explain what they have not grasped. Jesus’ own family was persuaded that He had lost His mind - quite possibly thinking He was an unbalanced religious fanatic: 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." Mark 3:20-21 (NIV)
Jesus tells us clearly, a divided kingdom will not stand. This is echoed in other places in Scripture too: 10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor 1:10 (NIV)
Paul’s appeal, directed to brothers not adversaries, was a plea for harmony and unity all the while not eliminating diversity. All throughout the New Testament we are taught this same theme. Do not be divided, bear with one another and love one another. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John: 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV)
This was a new command in that it was a special love for the brothers based on the sacrificial love of our Lord. We are to love each other as He loved. One of Satan’s biggest tools is to keep believers divided on issues that are not salvation issues. He is aware that if we are busy fighting among ourselves about the petty we are left with less time towards the important – the advancement of the kingdom of light. Many of our divisions boil down to personal preferences and pride. Jesus tells us to “Stop it!” He again states in John after washing His disciples feet: 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:15-17 (NIV)
Paul also tells us to “bear” with one another and forgive any grievances we have against one another, forgive as we have been forgiven, our actions themselves becoming the sermon. “Our actions disclose what goes on within us, just as its fruit makes known a tree otherwise unknown to us.” Thalassios the Libyan “Love for the brethren is far more than an agreeable society whose views are the same.” A.W. Pink 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
A high command indeed and so worthy of following! Grudges have no place in the Christians life – they lead us to sin. Get rid of them! They will only bring you loss never gain. “There is no torment like the inner torment of an unforgiving spirit.” Charles Swindoll “Forgiveness saves us the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.” Hannah More “I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.” Mother Teresa Finally, Jesus tells the crowd His power is God’s power using a reference from Exodus to the “finger of God” and stating “the kingdom of God has come to you”. Let us not let our hearts become hard like Pharaoh’s and not listen: 19 The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said. Ex 8:19 (NIV)