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?” Matthew continues, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus questioned what happens, “if Satan cast out Satan” where we read:
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
The verse reads, “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself;” Matthew began with the words, “and if Satan” which means “and whether the prince of evil spirits, the accuser and the inveterate adversary of God and Christ” “cast out” or “expel, drive out and compel to depart” “Satan” which means “the prince of evil spirits, the accuser and the inveterate adversary of God and Christ”, “he is divided” or “Satan is separated, cut into pieces and split into factions” “against himself” which refers to “in opposition to and positioned across from Satan his own self”. Matthew shared how Jesus asked the Pharisees if “Satan” is “divided”, then “Satan” is in “opposition” to himself.
The verse goes on to say, “how shall then his kingdom stand?” Matthew continued with the words, “how” or in what way and manner” “shall then” which means “will therefore, accordingly and consequently” “his kingdom stand” or “Satan's royal power, kingship, dominion and rule remained firm, fixed, established or kept intact”? Matthew shared how Jesus questioned the ability for “Satan's” power and rule to continue if he is divided against himself.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus once again answered the Pharisees who were set against Him in their thoughts and actions. Because they believed that Jesus cast out the “demon” in the “blind and dumb” man by “Beelzebub's power”, Jesus addressed the Pharisees' confusion. “Kingdoms, cities and homes” that are “divided” are brought to ruin, and Jesus' question pertained to “Satan” being “divided” against himself after the same manner. God desires to bring people to a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they realize that He has power over “every kingdom, city, home and Satan himself”, perhaps they shall align themselves with the One who is called the, “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords”.
Next time Matthew shares what Jesus asked, “if I by Beelzebub cast out devils”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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