Matthew the apostle wrote how there was brought to Jesus, “one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew shared how the Pharisees said, “this fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub” where we read:
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,
This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
The verse reads, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “when” or “at the time and moment” “the Pharisees” which refers to “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works” “heard it” or “were given the faculty for hearing, perceived, understood and considered that Jesus had cast the demon out of the man”, “they said” which means “the Pharisees uttered, proclaimed and declared”. Matthew shared how the “Pharisees “ heard and responded to Jesus' miracle.
The verse goes on to say, “This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Matthew continued the words, “this fellow” which means “this man” “does not cast out” or “does not expel, compel to depart and banish” “devils” or “demons or evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil”, “but” or “whether and except” “by Beelzebub” which means “through the prince of evil spirits or Satan whose name means lord of the house” “the prince” or “the ruler, chief, commander and leader” “of the devils” which means “over and above the evil spirits or the messengers and minsters of the devil”. Matthew shared how the Pharisees surmised that Jesus “expelled demons” only by the power of Satan who is the “ruler” of them.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the religious “Pharisees” who were the rulers of the synagogue heard about Jesus' miracle on the demon possessed blind and dumb man. They concluded that Jesus was only able to perform this miracle because He was doing so under the power of Satan. So many times people make wrong assessments of Jesus Christ, and although He came to “seek and to save that which was lost”, Jesus is often thought to have alternative purposes. God loves people, and His desire is for everyone to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who look upon Jesus like these “Pharisees” will never know Him for who He really is, however, those who see Jesus as the “Savior and Lord” of the world shall yield their lives to Him and be “saved” for all eternity.
Next time Matthew shares what Jesus said when He, “knew their thoughts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
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