At the peak of his healing and preaching ministry; after delivering a demon-possessed man of the evil within him; after healing him so that he could both see and speak, Jesus got a reaction from the Pharisees and teachers of religious law…disrespect.
“But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, ‘No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.’ Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, ‘Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself…But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you…Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me…So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven…You brood of snakes! How evil men could like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.’”
Wow! Jesus was never afraid of the religious rulers of that nation, but they were sure afraid of him. So afraid that even though he had done nothing in that setting to contravene their religious law they disrespected him. I think perhaps it was because he made their resistance all about him, not about the rules and regulations. “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” And that’s really the way it was. There was very little neutral thought about Jesus. People were either for him or against him. Those who were against him used the same tactics we’re familiar with today: name calling, questioning his motives, and twisting his words. Sounds just like a contemporary political campaign, doesn’t it?
In a sense, that’s pretty much what was going on. It was war, and both sides were battling for the heart and soul of the nation. That war is still going on today, and those of us who wish to follow Jesus without qualification will find ourselves disrespected as well. We need to stay the course and always remember that our tactics are to be the same as his: healing, restoring, building up and helping, and telling the truth. Never return evil for evil. And we need to stop talking so much and put our effort into LIVING the values of the Kingdom of God. Words are cheap, but kindness, service, and brotherhood (or sisterhood) are long remembered.
Prayer: “Great Lord, I’m with you. I choose to be like you and you only. I will battle along with you against the evil within me until I am clean and strong in your sight. I am one with Ezra…’Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.’ Be my constant guide and help until we reach heaven together. In your name, Amen.”