Slices
Prepare
If someone followed you around writing down everything you said, what sort of person would emerge on the page? Be honest – and don’t be too hard on yourself. Recognise the good as well as the bad.
Bible passage
Jesus and Beelzebul
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, ‘Could this be the Son of David?’
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.’
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 ‘Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30 ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 ‘Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognised by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.’
Explore
This section fleshes out what Jesus said in chapter 11, verse 12: the kingdom faces violent opposition.
When Jesus cast out another demon (v 22) the crowds wondered who he was (v 23) but the Pharisees rejected him (v 24). As Jesus pointed out, their response was ludicrous for at least two reasons (see vs 26,27). They had already made up their minds (see 9:3,34). This was what Jesus meant by the ‘unforgivable sin’ (vs 31,32): it isn’t something so bad God can’t or won’t forgive, but an attitude so hardened we don’t repent and seek forgiveness. These people saw Jesus release people from demonic oppression and disease, even death. But instead of praising God they said, ‘Nah, that’s evil, that is. That’s Satan at work.’
But let’s not skip over the powerful truth here: Satan has lost. His kingdom is falling, his house plundered – not through infighting but through the power and authority of Jesus. Satan may be stronger than us – but Jesus is stronger still. Do you believe that?
Respond
I doubt your heart is full of evil (v 34), but does it need softening? The enemy likes to toughen our hearts with disappointment, fear, bitterness, anger, and so on. Is there anything you need to repent of, that your heart might be softened afresh?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 4,5; 2 Corinthians 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks to God for Jenni Whymark and other Mission Enablers for the support and encouragement they are able to give to those Faith Guides in rural areas who might otherwise feel very isolated.
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