Divided We Fall

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 11

From Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

Jesus entered a home he'd been invited in to rest. Many people followed him filling the house completely. 

The host wanted to serve a meal, but due to the crowds that entered the home, we could not eat.

One family brought a demon-possed man to Jesus. The man could not see or speak. When Jesus saw the man, he had compassion and healed the man so that he could both talk and see. 

The people were astonished when the man spoke and walked without bumping into walls. They asked, "Could Jesus be the Son of David?"

At the same time that the people asked this question, the Pharisees interrupted, "No! This man is driving out the demons with Beelzebub, the prince of demons."

Jesus had shown us more and more every day that he truly knew what was in the hearts of men. He faced the Pharisees and said, "Every kingdom that is divided, fights itself and will be ruined. Every city or household that is divided against itself will not stand. So, if Satan drives out Satan, he is fighting himself. How then can his kingdom stand if that is true? 

"And if I drive out demons using Beelzebub, then by whom do your people drive them out? 

"They will be your judges.

"But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

"I will explain in a way you might better understand. If an evil man enters the house of a strong man and carries off all the possessions, he must first tie up the strong man in order to carry out his evil deed. 

"What I am saying to you is this: He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not  help me gather souls, scatters them." 


The Pharisees didn't say a word at this point. 

But Jesus had more to say to them. Those words will be continued in the next story.

I can say this, though, I am one who will help Jesus gather souls, not work against him to scatter them.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.