In Los Angeles, a man named Gerardo Cabanillas was falsely accused and wrongfully imprisoned for almost 30 years. Due to scientific advances applied to the DNA evidence, he was found to be innocent and freed. In this passage, Jesus casts out a demon from a man. Judaism couldn’t save this man but Jesus did. Yet they falsely accused Jesus of healing by the power of Beelzebub. No matter how many miraculous signs Jesus demonstrated, the Jews could not accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Essentially, they’re saying what Jesus did is Satanic. Beelzebub is a reference to the idols of Babylon, the ruler of demons. The Pharisees and Sadducees were jealous of Jesus and hated Him. It wasn’t only these elite who doubted Jesus, but everyone else wanted to test Jesus and demanded signs. Jesus’ response to them was, “If you don’t trust what I say, at least trust the works that I do”. Jesus had done countless miracles all throughout His ministry yet they still did not believe. The Pharisees falsely accused Him while the people demanded more signs. Even though Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead some believed but many didn’t. It’s bewildering that they would be first-hand witnesses to such signs and not consider Jesus as the Messiah and believe.
Why should Jesus be the ultimate choice? Because of the way Jesus responds to their false accusations, we have no choice but to believe in Jesus. There is no excuse. Jesus uses this moment to prove that He is the Savior. Jesus presents them with an irrefutable argument where the choice is obvious, they must surrender to Him.
“Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself falls.” This is a universal and undeniable truth that is easily observed in life. No nation, no business, no family will survive if there is constant fighting within. Phillip II, who conquered much of Greece and was the father of Alexander the Great is attributed with implementing “Divide and Conquer”. Throughout history, many politicians and military leaders have also used this tactic effectively. This universal principle would also apply to Satan’s kingdom. So Jesus presents their argument, that if he does this by the power of Satan but he is also against Satan, which would mean they are divided and would not be able to stand.
A counterargument could point out that Satan is inconsistent. He is not omniscient or truthful. Satan’s only goal is to harm the kingdom of God and in certain cases might allow self-harm to deceive us. He even disguises him as an angel of light and deceives ministers who do the same.
Jesus continues to solidify His case and position. “If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?”. Jesus was referring to Jewish exorcists who practiced casting out demons in the name of God. Jesus uses the name of God just as they do. However, Jesus never failed to cast out demons while the Jewish exorcists had a poor success rate (Acts 19:11-16). Because of His complete and overwhelming demonstration of miracles, massive crowds would come to Jesus presenting their sick. Judaism had failed to heal them but Jesus healed them all. So if those so-called exorcists poorly cast out demons by the power of God then what about Jesus who was clearly the greater. Jesus is just being honest and asking them to use common sense and admit their dishonesty. Every work of Jesus is the power of God in the Holy Spirit. Miracles are an act of the Triune God. It is irrefutable.
Then Jesus moves from the general principle to a specific reality they must face. “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon”. This is the crucial statement we must understand. Jesus is bringing a colossal truth that has an impact on everyone. This is the point that Jesus wants to make. “The kingdom of God has come up you” does not refer to a realm but to His rule. If Jesus is who he proves Himself to be, then God must rule in your heart.
“Finger of God’. This refers to the power of God that only God can do. In the book Exodus, God told Moses to turn the staff into a snake or the river into blood and Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do the same thing. However, when the magicians could not reproduce the plague of gnats, they exclaimed “This is the finger of God”. The miracle was a true divine power that only God could do. It is God’s unlimited power that intervenes in the world of man. The finger of God is unmistakable and cannot be imitated.
The finger of God is also the Word of God. God’s miracles are always in conjunction with His word. In Matthew 12:28 it does not say the finger of God but the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of truth who reveals God’s word in the hearts of men. The power of God is the truth of God which is the word of God (John 17:7).
The kingdom is the King’s power over the King’s people in the King’s place. These three realities (power, people, place) interrelate, and although they can be distinguished, they never can be separated. They are like strands of a rope tightly twisted together.” – Patrick Schreiner
The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:5) If the kingdom of God is at hand then Jesus must rule in your heart through repentance and belief in the gospel. To enter the kingdom of God you must be born again. You cannot be a coward and enter the kingdom of heaven. Cowardice is a sign of the old life. Being born again means you have a new life, a spiritual life, which is the gift of God. It is a sanctifying life, a struggling life that fights for obedience and holiness. It is not a life that seeks worldly comforts. A new life cannot be complacent with no change. Have you experienced this new life? If you have not, then cry out to Jesus.
How do you check if you are in the kingdom of God? Do you love Jesus more than anything? (John 14:15) Do you love others? For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who is born again lives righteously in obedience to God and righteously towards others. They have peace because they have been forgiven and saved from the wrath of God. Finally, they have joy in the Holy Spirit. A Christian that is not happy is not worthy of the name. The Christian has joy in God Himself in all circumstances (Hebrews 13:5).
The Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). Be wary of those who talk a lot but have no power. The kingdom of God is evident and produces fruit because of its power (Luke 1:35, Romans 1:16). Where there is power, there is an effect upon life. Examine your life and your sins. Do you still struggle with the same sins? Either you are not a Christian or you have no power. The kingdom of God is here, Jesus offers Himself, His kingdom, and His power as salvation to you.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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