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The Miracles of JesusMarch 23, 2021Matthew 12:22-28Jesus vs. BeelzebubIn 1858, Abraham Lincoln accepted the nomination from the republican party of Illinois. He ran against Stephen Douglas, the incumbent. The two had nine debates throughout Illinois during the fall of that year. Douglas won the election, but Lincoln gained popularity around the county. He became so popular that he ended up in the White House two years later.Here's a portion of one of Lincoln's debate speeches from 1858. Parts of this speech are used by the Lincoln animatronic at the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World.Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches, which came to be known as the "House Divided" Speech. In it, he addressed the burning issue of slavery.Lincoln believed slavery to be immoral; he wanted to stop its expansion into new territories and hoped it would eventually end."We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was initiated, with the?avowed?object and?confident?promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only?not ceased but has?constantly augmented.In?my?opinion, it?will?not cease until a?crisis?shall have been reached and passed -"A house divided against itself cannot stand."I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half?slave?and half?free. I do not expect the Union to be?dissolved?- I do not expect the house to?fall?- but I do expect it will cease to be divided.It will become?all?one thing or?all?the other."As we know, living on the other side of history that Lincoln's speech was quite prophetic. In just three year's a Civil War would begin in our country. His house-divided statement was borrowed from the Bible; specifically, they are the words of Jesus.__________________________________________________________________The miracle for today's devotion is Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. The healing itself is only one verse long."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."What the crowd said as a result of the miracle was filled with praise."And all the people were amazed and said,?"Can this be the Son of David?"?What the Pharisees thought was condemnation.But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,?"It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."Jesus' reply to the Pharisees was and is common sense.?"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.?And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand??And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub,?by whom do?your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.?But if it is?by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then?the kingdom of God has come upon you."The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of being Satan or Beelzebub (which literally means Lord of the Flies.)This accusation makes no sense, according to Jesus. If He were Satan, He wouldn't be casting out Satan. We've just covered a small number of Jesus' miracles. But on more than one occasion, we know that Jesus was healing numerous people of ailments as well as casting out demons.Would Satan cast the legion of his demons into a herd of pigs? Of course not. Beelzebub is not going to destroy his own army.So, if that isn't happening, then what is? Jesus says, "But, if it is?by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then?the kingdom of God has come upon you."Jesus is telling the people and the Pharisees that He is casting out demons by the Spirit of God. Jesus is replying in the affirmative to the people's question."And all the people were amazed and said,?"Can this be the Son of David?"?Yes, Pharisees, yes people, it is. This is Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of the living God.Christ died to rid us of the sin that was imprinted on our hearts and soul. He freed us from Satan's grasp through His death on the cross and resurrection three days later.At times our world may seem divided against itself. But, because of Jesus' sacrifice, we will never be separated from Him.Dear Lord. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to us. His sacrifice and your love have freed us from Satan's grasp. We live because your Son died for us. Thank you for your unending Grace. Amen. ................
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