Mark 3:23-27

In our weakness God is strong. When we quit trying to do things on our own He takes over! 

Satan seeks to destroy our unity. He is the father of lies and only seeks to kill, steal and destroy the followers of Jesus.

In the unity of Holy Spirit the principles of darkness are defeated.

The ageless Truth of the gospel has never been more relevant. In a fractured society that's plagued with conflict, division, despair, fear of death, celebration of sin, self-righteousness and self-service, we need the power and hope of the gospel and the clarity that Paul's teaching provides. We need to be reminded that the gospel is the key to reconciliation, hope, peace, unity, love, selflessness, service, obedience and new life. Only through the gospel's redemptive power can we witness the change we long to see in our lives, relationships and communities. First5 

For unending joy is it that God, our protector here,
Will be our bliss hereafter.
God is our way, our destination in true love
And surest trust.
So let us fly to the Lord,
so that we may be comforted;
touch him so that we might be cleansed;
Cling to him so that we might be safe from every danger…
Courteous God,
Be the foundation of my being.
May I sit in you in true rest,
Stand in you in sure strength,
And be rooted in you in endless love.
Reveal yourself more to me
So that I may know my true nature better
And act as I truly am.
Julian of Norwich, 1342-after 1416

Sabbath Moments 

Mark 3:23-27

23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. The New King James Version

Jesus speaks in parables only three times in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus’ parables contained truths about the kingdom of God. Jesus confronts the religious leaders with the possibility that, by opposing Him, they might be aligning themselves with evil powers. 

The defining mark of a disciple of God’s kingdom is allegiance to Jesus and His teaching. Likewise, Jesus cannot be possessed by Beelzebul, as that would mean that the ruler of demons has risen up against himself by vanquishing demons.  Jesus triumphed over Satan during His temptation and in  casting out demons. These exorcisms indicate that Beelzebul (the strong man in the parable) was defeated through Jesus’ resistance of temptation. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus’ reply in parables was actually a threefold message that contrasted unity and disunity. Nothing—including Satan’s kingdom—can stand if it is divided. Whoever defeats Satan must be stronger than he. Jesus implies that He Himself has come to enter the house of the strong man, Satan, to seize his goods. The NKJV Study Bible

It was plain that the doctrine of Christ had a direct tendency to break the devil’s power; and it was as plain, that casting of him out of the bodies of people, confirmed that doctrine; therefore Satan could not support such a design. Christ gave an awful warning against speaking such dangerous words. It is true the gospel promises, because Christ has purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners; but by this sin, they would oppose the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ’s ascension. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Matthew 12:26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.