The Parable of the Divided Kingdom
This parable of the Divided Kingdom teaches that we cannot follow the world and the teachings of Jesus at the same time. We cannot serve the devil and serve Jesus. We must commit ourselves to the Word of the LORD God and follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:22-30; Mark 3:22-27; Luke 11:14-23
There was a man who was possessed with a devil, and was blind, and could not speak who was brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus healed this man. And all the people were amazed.
When the Pharisees heard this they said “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Luke 11:16 tells us that others, tempting him, and wanted Jesus to give them a sign from heaven.
It would have been wrong for Jesus to show the Pharisees signs from heaven. But Jesus was too smart to fall for their trickery. So he said that every kingdom that is divided against itself is brought to desolation. Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
Jesus went on to explain that if satan were to cast out satan, he is dividing against himself. This would mean that his kingdom cannot stand. This is because satan would be destroying his own kingdom and it would become too weak to stand.
Jesus then asked the Pharisees “And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” Matthew 12:27. Here Jesus is asking the Pharisees that if Jesus cast out devils using the help of beelzebud then who does their children cast out devils? Therefore the children would be their judges.
Jesus continued to say if He cast out devils by the Spirit of the LORD God, then the kingdom of God comes into the person. You see no one can come into the home of a strong man and rob him or spoil his good, unless the strong man is bound first.
I am sure you have heard older people say; “If you are not with me then you are against me.” That is what Jesus said in Luke 11:23 “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”
People who do not believe the Word of the LORD God are against Him. Those people who do not gather among the LORD and listen and learn the ways of the LORD will scatter in every direction when trouble comes to them. They will be lost.
Jesus concluded this parable by making a very important point about sin and forgiveness. He said that all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.
What Can Be Learned From This Lesson?
There are two important lessons we need to learn from this parable. Every kingdom that is divided against itself is brought to desolation. “If you are not with me then you are against me.”
When we fight among ourselves in the church then we weaken the church. If we fight among our family members then we weaken our family. If we fight among our friends then we weaken our friendship. You get the point? You cannot go to church on Sunday and on Monday go against the teachings of the Word of the LORD God. It takes accepting the Word of the LORD God and living under His rules and His teachings.
Jesus tells us “If you are not with me then you are against me.” You cannot serve two masters you will either hate the one, or love the other. You will either follow the teachings and rule of the one and then despise and not follow the other. This can be found in Matthew 6:24.
John 12:26 is the words of Jesus when He says “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” This tells us that Jesus is the one we should follow, serve and listen to. Jesus only speaks for the Father which is the LORD God.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Parable of the Divided Kingdom:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1887,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Parable of the Divided Kingdom:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1887,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Parable of the Divided Kingdom:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1887, (accessed).
