By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Editors Note: The devotional has a background song called 'Power of Your Love' which can be heard if you use Internet Explorer.

SCRIPTURE:
“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 in life?
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 lovingly 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 S.L.A.N.D.E.R in life?”

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!

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

ANALOGY OF INVITING PEOPLE TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN:

We are like an ambulance taking sick people to the hospital. People are dying and there is an emergency because of an epidemic virus. The ambulance takes the initiative to go to the place people are dying and bring them to the hospital. They are not dead yet but there is no time to wait. The ambulance needs to get to the hospital for that virus to be treated. The virus has infected the mind, body, and soul spreading rapidly. You and I cannot do anything to heal our friends of this virus except be the AMBULANCE taking them to the HOSPITAL where the GREAT PHYSICIAN waits.

Once at the hospital, there is a GREAT PHYSICIAN that waits. The sick are gathered from all corners of the earth and come to this hospital.  This hospital is called CALVARY OF SALVATION and the EMERGENCY WARD is called GOLGOTHA.

The GREAT PHYSICIAN is not like other doctors who can only treat patients with  physical ailments but this GREAT PHYSICIAN is much more and knows He has to stay 72 HOURS for every dying person there to be healed.

He knows what He has to do! This GREAT PHYSICIAN knew that only His BLOOD can wipe away this epidemic VIRUS, so for you and me He went to the blood transfusion room where people were about to die. There He lay down on the bed  made of wood.

The surgeons walk into the room. They turn this GREAT PHYSICIAN on His back.  Instead of using an IV, a WHIP with sharp glass, etc is used to draw out the BLOOD from the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S back! It does not stop there but to elevate the head on the bed of wood, a CROWN OF THORNS is used which draws more BLOOD.

As the head is elevated, the GREAT PHYSICIAN's hands are stretched wide on the wooden bed. Then the feet are bound together. This is done for the BLOOD transfusion to begin. Instead of using an IV, NAILS and a HAMMER is used. The NAILS are pounded through the hands into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so the BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. The NAILS are pounded through the feet into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so more BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. As the BLOOD continues to flow from the GREAT PHYSICIAN's body, the GREAT PHYSICIAN flat lines. Then the surgeons insert a SPEAR into the heart to make sure all the BLOOD is out. All the BLOOD is out!

Now, the GREAT PHYSICIAN is moved into the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE being guarded by security.

Now the CALVARY OF SALVATION hospital has a BLOOD DONOR whose BLOOD can be used to save everyone there from this EPIDEMIC VIRUS. 

Those dying need to be taken there to receive the BLOOD transfusion that is available. However, the BLOOD will not be forced upon those dying! THE PUREST RED ANTIDOTE is only given to those that are willing to receive the BLOOD TRANSFUSION so they could LIVE.

All that accept the BLOOD are being CLEANSED of this EPIDEMIC VIRUS in their system that is infecting the mind, body, and soul.  This BLOOD goes into the dying person's mind, body, and soul and eats away at the virus cleaning them and making them pure. This VIRUS is known as SIN. The BLOOD is the PRECIOUS CLEANSING BLOOD OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, JESUS CHRIST.

The WOODEN BED is the CROSS OF CHRIST where the dying need to be led too.

72 HOURS LATER, there is a commotion at the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN is not there anymore and the ANGELS that visit tell loved ones who came there, that THE GREAT PHYSICIAN IS ALIVE and will save all that come to Him.

It is true even to this day, for all that come to the HOSPITAL OF CALVARY come to realize that His CLEANSING BLOOD shed on the WOODEN BED (CROSS) will never run out. Anyone infected who wants to be healed of their sickness can accept what Jesus did for them and be covered in His precious CLEANSING BLOOD.

I have done that friend and know that at the foot of the cross where Jesus died shedding His precious cleansing blood for my sin and the sins of the world, I can find forgiveness and grace.

Thanks be to God that Christ's death on the cross was temporary to remove all His precious cleansing blood for our sake but after He was buried, Jesus came back to life to save.

To this day, all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved when they acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done for them and what He can do for them.

Friend, Jesus loves you so much and if you were the only one living on earth, Jesus would have done the same for you. What I shared with you was an analogy but in real life it has happened. Jesus went to the cross for you and me and His precious cleansing blood was shed so you and I could have life. Jesus came back to life 72 hours later and is alive but His blood continues to heal people on every corner of the earth to those that accept Him.

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. You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.

Dear Jesus, thank you for healing the paralytic after forgiving his sins. You set him free to go home. I want to be free. I don’t know everything about you. I still have a lot of questions. What I do know is that you died on the cross for my sins. When it comes to sin, I am a paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this deadly disease known as sin. I am not perfect but a sinner who needs your cleansing blood to clean me of my sin. I confess to you my sin and repent of my sin. I know you have forgiven me when you died on the cross. I want to accept that forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed to the cross because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and pounded the nails so I could be free. Thank you for willingly dying for me Jesus. Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for doing that to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your healing in my life. Thank you for the power of your Blood to redeem humanity. Thank you for coming back to life to save us and give us Eternal Life as we yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I love you Jesus. I want you Jesus. Even with my questions, I come to you now and accept you into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my heart your home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have done for me when God looks at me, He now sees me covered in your blood and His judgment passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being with me Lord. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to be alone! You will always be with me and have given me Salvation.  In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)