Jesus and Beelzebul

Today's Reflections

Jesus and Beelzebul

 

Lk 11:14-23

¹⁴[Jesus] was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. ¹⁵Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”      ¹⁶Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. ¹⁷But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. ¹⁸And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.

¹⁹If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. ²²But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. ²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Reflection:
 

IF IT IS BY THE FINGER OF GOD. To the charge that he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Jesus appeals to simple logic and says that Satan cannot be fighting against himself. Moreover, Jesus declares that he drives out demons by the finger of God. Just as God created the world and humanity by his “finger” or hand, God’s power is now at work in Jesus who frees men and women from Satan and the forces of evil.

The Spirit of God is at work in Jesus. God speaks and acts through Jesus. Jesus reveals and manifests the will and the ways of the Father. The Father works in Jesus.

With Jesus, we are strengthened against the wiles of the devil and the forces of Satan. If we remain close to Jesus and united with him, Jesus assures us that the kingdom of God has come upon us.

From a text message pass-on:
“For happy moments, praise God;
in difficult moments, seek God;
in quiet moments, worship God;
during painful moments, trust God;
and at every moment, thank God.”