Matthew 12:1-32 ~ by whom do your sons cast them out

Matthew 12:1-32

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

We are in an age. A very unusual age. Our grandparents paid for their houses before they moved in. We accept the way our culture works, sometimes without thought.  When you look at the School Board problems in America from 100 years ago, you might have seen the simple things, but you would have seen truancy & child labor left off of the list. The golf links lie so near the fence, the little children can see the men at play. 

Another part of our culture we don't look at clearly, many of the people who have experienced substance abuse and have faced up to it, remain in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and their lives are healed because their addictions are being treated for what they were, soul weariness.  These people begin to clearly understand the soul, the actions, the physical are clearly connected.  As they become tuned into hope for their souls, their lives are changes and grow as they begin to take care of others. Like sponsoring others. And helping people who are unable to help their own children. These people are brave people.

We used to whisper adoption or condemn it and we used to whisper cancer. Yes, we have increasingly seen younger children being involved in STDs and pregnancy, but we also see young people thrilled at the chance to be parents, to love. Willing to ask for help.  

It is only in rejecting the people willing to step forward, we tie up the Holy Spirit in God's willingness to use the weak to shame the strong. Always pray.

John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 1:4

Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy

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