RPG Adults
A KINGDOM DIVIDED? – THE CONTEXT
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Mark 3:22-30
Memory verse: Mark 3:22
“…He hath Beelzebub,
and by the prince of the devils
casteth he out devils.”
A KINGDOM DIVIDED? – THE CONTEXT
The context is critical in understanding Mark 3:22-30. Why did Mark record the charge of the scribes against Christ that He cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils? The Gospel of Matthew provides the background. Matthew 12:22-24 “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
The demon that possessed the man struck him blind and dumb. They could not see the demon that was in him. But the result of the demonic possession was blindness and dumbness. To others, this was just a physical issue. But to Christ, this was a grave and spiritual issue. Not all sicknesses are because of demonic possession; neither are dumbness and blindness. They could simply be physical in nature, and medical treatments can help bring about healing and complete recovery.
However, to the child of God, all things are spiritual in that he has become a spiritual person when Christ baptised him with the Holy Spirit at the point of his salvation. From his salvation onwards, the Holy Spirit dwells in him forever, making him a spiritual person. He no longer wrestles against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places (cf. Eph 6:12). He fights his spiritual battles by praying without ceasing, knowing that God is the One who helps him. It is not a matter of demon possession, for the believer can never be possessed by any demon because of the Holy Spirit who dwells in him. God can use medicine to heal him or other sources to protect him, including unbelievers and people in high places. God is almighty and the believer experiences God’s divine protection all his life. After the healing, the scribes came to confront Christ about the power He demonstrated in casting out the demon, resulting in the healing of the man from blindness and dumbness. They charged Him for using the power of the devil to heal this man.
THOUGHT: Demon possession is as real then as it is in the present.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.