As a teacher in a classroom of teenagers, there were times they would insult each other. Being weary of it, I would caution them to be careful what they said. That they may have to eat their words someday. And, they might not taste so good. I recalled it when I thought about the sermon today.
It’s taken from Luke 11:14-23. Jesus has just cast out a devil. Once the devil was gone, the mute person spoke. This got everyone’s attention. Some marvelled at it and others were, well, insulting. One group said he, Jesus, must have cast the devil out through Beelzebub.
This goes back to II Kings 1:2 when the king of Israel was injured and sent messengers to inquire of Baalzabub, the god of Ekron whether he would recover. Baalzabub became Beelzebub and turned into a derisive Hebrew pun which meant “lord of the flies.” Definitely not a good thing to say to Jesus.
Then there was the other group that joined in with the chorus of wanting more signs from heaven. What were they thinking? Jesus read their thoughts and put them on notice. He begins with the statement that even the devil would not cast out demons and expect to prevail, that a house divided against itself would not prevail.
Jesus went on to say that if he should use a diabolic assistant, then what about the sons of Hebrews who called on the patriarchs and pretended to cast out demons and heal? Were these sons going to be their judges? Jesus continues, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon.” (Luke 11:20)
Then, he draws the line in the sand, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” (Luke 11:23) Jesus has made it plain. One is either with him or against him. There are two forces in this world, one leads to heaven and the other leads to hell. Joshua 24:15 sums it up, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
It’s taken from Luke 11:14-23. Jesus has just cast out a devil. Once the devil was gone, the mute person spoke. This got everyone’s attention. Some marvelled at it and others were, well, insulting. One group said he, Jesus, must have cast the devil out through Beelzebub.
This goes back to II Kings 1:2 when the king of Israel was injured and sent messengers to inquire of Baalzabub, the god of Ekron whether he would recover. Baalzabub became Beelzebub and turned into a derisive Hebrew pun which meant “lord of the flies.” Definitely not a good thing to say to Jesus.
Then there was the other group that joined in with the chorus of wanting more signs from heaven. What were they thinking? Jesus read their thoughts and put them on notice. He begins with the statement that even the devil would not cast out demons and expect to prevail, that a house divided against itself would not prevail.
Jesus went on to say that if he should use a diabolic assistant, then what about the sons of Hebrews who called on the patriarchs and pretended to cast out demons and heal? Were these sons going to be their judges? Jesus continues, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon.” (Luke 11:20)
Then, he draws the line in the sand, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” (Luke 11:23) Jesus has made it plain. One is either with him or against him. There are two forces in this world, one leads to heaven and the other leads to hell. Joshua 24:15 sums it up, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
