January 22: Mark 3:22-30
Key Verse: Mark 3:24
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Devotion:
One of the things Jesus was very good at was remaining calm when under pressure from the teachers of the law or Scribes or Pharisees. Nothing they said could phase Jesus, just like nothing the demons He faced could say could phase Him either. I’m afraid I do get quite upset when people talk me down or say things against me: I may not show it at the time but my insides are turning over!
When the teachers of the law said Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, He calmly went into a discussion with them. If you have an enemy, then how can you enemy fight against you enemy to accomplish something for you? That just does not make any sense. Jesus used this argument against His accusers knowing full well that if your enemy is no longer fighting as one, they are divided and are falling apart already!
Just as you would probably not go up against someone whom you knew could beat you up. Jesus knew they were in the wrong and He was not going to allow them to gain and advantage or followers by saying what they wanted.
We know the truth comes out and Jesus was and always will stand for the truth. God wants us to continue standing for the truth too, keeping Jesus as our example and our guide. We have His words written down for us by the disciples and people at that time. All we need do is to believe in what Jesus said and He will continue to back us up with the truth.
Points to Ponder:
How often have you been persuaded by someone doing wrong?
How often have you believed Jesus instead of the people living lies?