House divided

Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists 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 to you. ~ Matthew 12:22-28
None of us can rest, be happy, be at home, be at peace with ourselves until we end hatred and division. ~ John Lewis

Do you know of any divided houses?
Depending on who you talk to, America has never been more divided than it is right now.  The news would seem to back it up: tension filled elections; fighting over mask wearing; back to school or not; vaccines or not; racial division; protests; fights over the border; fights over gun control issues...
However, historically speaking, huge divisions have existed in this country since day one.  Patriots vs. Tories; Federalists vs.anti-Federalist Jeffersonians; Abolitionists vs. Slave owners.
What does it say about how we do or do not stand?
In the midst of a divided country (or even divided churches and homes), trying to put our situation within this teaching of Jesus can be tricky.  
Until perhaps we look at ultimately what it is that is happening here. 

 What it is God wants to be happening.
Healing.
In a nation divided, who is it that is trying to bring peace? In a home divided, who is it that is trying to repair?  When sides are drawn up, who is trying to heal?  When churches battle over polity or theology, who is trying to restore and forgive and reconcile?

There's a lot that needs healing these days. There always has been. And sadly, in the news, we don't often hear about the healing that is happening.

Division happens.  And division weakens.  It weakens the foundations of countries, communities, churches, and families.

And division needs healing. Healing, Jesus says, that comes from the Spirit.

The Spirit makes whole. The Spirit heals.

If there is division in your home or church or community, look to the places and people who seek healing and wholeness.  The Spirit is at work there bringing God into the midst.

God of justice and reconciliation, send your Spirit to blow through our lives bringing healing and wholeness to the places that are divided and broken.  Amen.


Thoughts for engagement:

- What are the worst division facing our country? Our community? Our congregation?
- What are ways we, individually and collectively, can heal division?
- Specifically, what are ways you are being called to heal division?

Popular posts from this blog

But we had hoped

Now on that same day two (disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,  but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.   Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”  He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,  who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.  Mo
Read more

Resurrection Run

For the week after Easter, some deeper dives into the Resurrection . When (the women) looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”  So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. ~ Mark 16:4-8 No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach; the same restlessness; the yawning. ~ CS Lewis The cave you fear to enter holds the  treasure
Read more

God's People: Abram

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ~ Genesis 12:1-3 Abram was Shem's great times seven grandson. And sometime in between Shem and Abram was the Tower of  Babel. God's creation had begun in a garden, and with sin, creation spread east of Eden. As the selfishness of sin continued, God pulled the reins in and brought creation back to a smaller size, managed by one family. But before too many generations, that family grew and spread and once again became embroiled in trying to compete with God. And so God, with Babel, sent creation scattered off near and far. So when we meet Abram - already an old man - he is part of one of the many tribes
Read more