Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the summer archives because I want to go over the Gospel of Mark from the beginning.. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 119,  Proverbs 3,, and Mark 3:22-27)

“And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons." So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.” (Mark 3:22-27, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what words or phrases are repeated here?

1. Beelzebub (1), demons (2), Satan (6),

2. divided (2),

3.  strong (2),

4. kingdom (2),

5. house (4)

6. strong man (5)

7. Jesus (3)

8. stand (3)

I asked myself what were the actions of the teachers of the law?

1. They said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub!”

2. They said “By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

I asked myself how did Jesus respond to the accusation?

1. “So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables.”

2. Jesus asks them a rhetorical question, “How can Satan drive out Satan?”

3. Jesus then tells them three profound statements on division:

            (a) "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."

           (b) "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. "

           (c) "And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come."

 4. Jesus later tells them, “In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.”

Interpretations:

I asked myself why Jesus’ response was interesting!

I found it interesting when the teachers of the law slandered Jesus in front of his disciples and the crowds gathered around Him, Jesus did not lash out on the teachers of the law calling them names or slandering them back. Instead, Jesus addresses the slander itself, calling them and speaking to them. It was a terrible accusation they made on Jesus. Jesus could have done whatever He wanted to the teachers of the law because He had the power but He did not. He made them think through a parable! Jesus made them see how ridiculous and senseless their slander was.

I asked myself what is significance about division being mentioned three times?

Jesus mentioned division in three different contexts:

Point 1:  Kingdom division

”If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”

When I thought about kingdom division it reminded me of governments that deal with Civil War. They are fighting among themselves and cannot stand if that continues. If the Civil War had continued we would not have had the United States of America.

Point 2: House division

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

When I thought about house division it reminded me of all the broken families. Because of division and strife in many families, they have not been able to stand but divorce themselves from each other. That is so sad! It is division that is bringing the breaking of families.

Point 3: Demonic division

“And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.”

 When I thought about demonic division, I was totally appalled how the teachers of the law could even attribute what they said to Jesus. Jesus wanted them to see that demons that fight themselves will not stand so they do not fight themselves. Instead, they work together to accomplish the evil, they accomplish.

Jesus wanted the teachers of the law also to know that He has the power to cast out demons and send them away. A demon would not cast itself out.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. Even though Jesus was horribly slandered in front of others, Jesus attacked the slander and not the person/person’s who attacked Jesus with the slander. This tells me so much about Jesus’ character that I can learn to follow. Even when people made terrible accusations on Him, Jesus made them think with questions, parables, and wise remarks. I need to do the same when I am slandered by others rather than trying to get even. Jesus was not in the business of getting even. That is so cool. Jesus also made me see that demonic influence is real and He has the power to cast out demons. The teachers of the law already experienced Jesus casting out demons to which Jesus attributes the right way it was done as opposed to the accusation made about Him. Jesus did not lash out at them and I should not lash out at those who slander me.

I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle slander?

Dear friend, slander can be handled in two ways. It can be handled by attacking the person/person’s who slandered you back or it can be handled by attacking the slander itself. Jesus attacked the slanderous remarks rather than making a personal attack on the teachers of the law. This tells us how we should handle slander too. It can be tempting to attack the person when the slander is so outrageous but there is no slander as outrageous as the slander that was made on Jesus. Yet, Jesus handled it professionally in front of His disciples and the crowds. That is awesome to know. The Good News is that Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to handle situations that arise even when those deal with slanderous remarks.

Jesus cleared His Name by making the teachers of the law see how wrong their slander was. We can do the same by presenting evidence, whether it be in court to strike the slanderous statements down, to clear our name or we can present the evidence directly to the person/person’s who slandered us to make them see how wrong they are. More than anything let the Lord handle the situation as you depend on Him. Jesus can handle the slanderous remarks made upon you His child as you let Him guide you! May you be guided and led by the help of the Holy Spirit to fight slanderous remarks! Amen!

“Slandered? Lord’s Almighty Nurture Deals Everyday Results!” (S.L.A.N.D.E.R)/”How do you handle slander?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the power of your Word. Thank you Jesus for teaching me how you handled slander! Oh Lord, what they said to you was terrible and horrible and yet you did not attack them personally but addressed the slander itself. Help us Oh Lord to do the same. We live in a world where demonic influence exists and because of that people even do things they are not supposed to do. It would not be surprising for the enemy to use human vessels to slander other human beings who are following you. Oh Lord, please forgive us and help us to live for you and serve you. We are so sorry for our sin and ask you to please give us your wisdom for the reverence and fear of you Oh Lord is basic to all wisdom and knowing you results in better understanding. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word Oh Lord for I am a pilgrim here on earth; how I need a map and your commands are my chart and guide! Thank you for forgiving us and cleansing us with your precious blood. Thank you Jesus for coming into our heart and making our heart your home! This is so cool Oh Lord! Please be my Lord and Personal Savior! We entrust our life to thee and ask thee for wisdom and guidance. Thanks so much Jesus. Please help those Oh Lord who are dealing with slanderous remarks to deal with it in a way that will bring you honor and glory. Thank you so much Jesus!  Thank you Jesus you have heard our prayers and answered us! Thank you for being our Lord and Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!

If you need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of October 2005, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Next Devotional:
"How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?"

Express your view