Matthew 12:22-32 (NRSV)
Jesus comes to cast out Satan
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.
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.
Reflection
These people were confused if Jesus was from God or not. Jesus, looked like a man. How could Jesus be a God? But Jesus explained the Holy Spirit to them a bit here. If he casts out demons by the Spirit of God then God has come to them. Contrast the thought that if he cast out demons by Beelzebul, then Beelzebul has come to them.
Beelzebul deserves a little explanation. The name probably comes from ba'al zbul, meaning Lord of the house, or exalted Lord. The god of Ekron is called Baal-zebub meaning Lord of flies. This was given by the Hebrews to estimate his worth. Ending the name in 'l' may be derogatory in Hebrew if it were derived from zebel which means dung. So Beelzebul was not thought of as a god but as the prince of demons.
So the Pharisees are insulting Jesus by accusing him of casting demons out by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus clears up this confusion stating that he was doing this by the love, compassion, and caring of the Spirit of God. Jesus further tells the people that if you get confused about the person acting, look at the Spirit that is guiding the action. If that Spirit is from God, then the person is of God. If the action is from Beelzebul it is worthless. Jesus tells us that it will be confusing at times. But always look for the Spirit of God.
So Jesus is willing to forgive our confusion if we think of his actions incorrectly. But if we know that it is the Spirit of God acting and we choose to ignore and insult, that sin takes special care with God to be forgiven.
Prayer
Lord, it's easy to be tricked in this world into believing all sorts of things. Bring my focus back to you as I look to you and see Father, Son and Spirit. All my Lord and my God. Teach me to discern your Spirit in the actions of myself and others, that your will may be done today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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