Jesus response to the Pharisee's accusations

With Jesus authenticating himself as the great “I Am” of the Old Testament we now get to watch how the Pharisees respond once again when a demon-oppressed man is brought to him. Please read Matthew 12:22-32. Notice the crowds response- they were amazed! They were continuously amazed and beside themselves as Jesus continued to heal all that was brought to him. The crowds began to ask the question “Can this the Son of David?” Jesus’ answer to this question is yes if you have ears to hear and eyes to see with. The Pharisees ministry and influence as decreasing and they became jealous of Jesus. They reveal to us just how wicked a person’s heart can be. The Pharisees respond this way because they don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of David. They accuse Jesus of doing these miracles by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. God’s word is right with these words: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10) No matter what religion you may or may not practice, one truth is for sure: we do not know just how wicked and sinful our hearts are! As I reflect on my life I do not know the depravity of my own heart. God does! Our sinful wicked heart is a divided heart. Jesus reveals this truth as he responds to the Pharisees accusations with this truth: A house divided against itself will fall (vs. 25). The same truth applies today. The same is truth applies in a marriage, in a business and yes even in a local church body! The only way any person, or group can have a united heart for one purpose is to take Jesus up on his invitation: “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Jesus has the authority and power to set you free from Satan’s control and transform your life. Jesus received the authority from the Father to bind Satan and plunder his house. Jesus paid for your sin debt in full on the cross when he shed his blood for your soul. Let’s get one truth perfectly clear: Jesus satisfied the wrath of God because we as sinful humans were not and are not able to do so. Jesus under the authority of God the Father bound Satan up and plundered his house. Every person who has ever been plundered from the house of Satan has been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. The classic hymn has it right: What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the only reason my life is different today. I invite you to give your life to him!