ACE #325: Is Your House Divided?

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family[b] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Every year, University of Kentucky Wildcat fans and University of Louisville Cardinal fans get heated over the sports rivalry - both in basketball and in football.  Facebook gets real busy when either team plays, particularly if individuals are from the state of Kentucky.  This rivalry is referred to as the "Battle for the Bluegrass".  Oftentimes, households will be divided.  In our family, my household is always about the Cats.  In my brother's house it is certainly about the Cards.  If we are at our parents' house, it is truly a house divided. Even our extended family is the same way.  While each side tries to convince the other side which team is better, there is no switching sides.  People are either for their team or they are not. There is no compromise.

As this passage suggests, the teachers of the law were trying to convince others that Jesus was demon-possessed and crazy.  Jesus' mother and brothers arrived to persuade Him to vacate the premises and, therefore, to silence His teaching.  But Jesus rebukes them by saying, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."  In so many ways, they are trying to get him to abandon His mission, His ministry, and His "team". Interestingly enough, Jesus' family does not try to enter the house to support His work and to hear the message He was preaching.  They stood outside and sent someone else in to get Him, which suggests that their spirits were not in alignment with Jesus in order to even enter the house.  In Matthew 12:22-36, Jesus is clear that whoever is not with Him is against Him...that included his family.  In Luke 11:27-28, He also wanted to be clear that he was not disrespecting his family, particularly his mother, but rather He wanted His followers to know that there is a blessing for those who hear the word of God and obey it...His faith was greater than the blood relationship He shared with his family. 

There will certainly be occasions in our lives when our walk with Christ will interfere with our friendships and our family relationships. People will try to convince us that following "Team Jesus" is just not worth it or perhaps a waste of time.  Either way, God's will cannot be done properly in a house, or even in the body of believers, that is divided against itself.

Today's message is simple: learn to surround yourself with people who are willing to do God's will...just like you.  If you desire to do God's will, then attach yourself to the people who are already doing it.  Either you are for the Savior...or you are not.  

Is your house divided?