United We Stand, Divided We Fall
LENT 2022 | DAY 15
Matthew 12:22-50 (NIV)
(Jason Huang, Zone 13 Core Team Member, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 12:22-50 (NIV)
Matthew 12:30 – He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
OBSERVE:
A demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. Everyone was amazed at this and reacted with Messianic expectation by asking, “Can this be the Son of David?” But the Pharisees heard it and they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
What follows then are confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus over the source of His power to cast out demons. Jesus counters their blatant accusation by arguing that it would be illogical to think it is by Satan He casts out demons, for no city or house or kingdom divided against itself will stand, and rebukes the Pharisees sharply for their obstinate unbelief. He even says that those who maliciously ascribe His work of miracles to demons are unforgivable.
And Jesus knows that He has done these things by the Spirit of God, and if the Spirit of God is at work, then the Kingdom of God has come upon them. The King Himself gathers with them.
APPLY:
This particular verse, Matthew 12:30, has struck a chord and reminded me that being children of God and disciples of Christ, it is important that we stay united as a faith community against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). In the lesson taught to us by Jesus on division, staying united and gathering with Him is key.
In the midst of the pandemic happening right now, many are divided. Attendance at church services is declining. Although people have a wide choice of online services to attend, the number of people watching online services is also dropping, especially among younger believers. It is at this moment that we should seize every opportunity and make every effort to build unity to help us stay close to the faith community, so that we cannot be divided.
As Covid-19 is still with us today, we are also standing at our own crossroads in our journey together with others. It is in this context that we need to continue to stand together in solidarity and stay faithful in obedience to God.
When God is with us, He is for us, and who (or what) can be against us? Question is, are we dividing ourselves or are we gathered with Him?
DO:
Whenever I face challenging circumstances at work or at home, I will turn my eyes upon God in prayers, surrendering and gathering with Him in spirit and in truth, even as there are divisions among perspectives, choices and decisions, so that He will gather with me and not allow me to be divisive or to cause further dissensions. Instead, I will remain in Him in obedience.
As I enter into the season of Lent this year, I am renewing a commitment to return to the Lord for a time of resting in His presence through corporate worship, Scripture reflection and delighting in His goodness, and to find my heart renewed in Him, so that I may stay united and gather with Him together with others as the body of Christ.
PRAY:
O’ Lord, as I face the rough waters and fires of life, help me not to be divided but to be gathered with You, for surely You will gather with me in all situations and circumstances. You are the true vine, I am the branches. Help me to remain in You so that I may stay united and bear much fruit. Amen.
