Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 23rd January 2023

Jesus was often accused by the scribes, who were doctors of the law closely aligned with the Pharisees, of casting out devils and evil spirits by the power of the prince of devils or Beelzebul, as he was often called in Jesus’ day. This name derived from a Philistine god, who was also called the Lord of the flies or the Lord of filth. It was a pretty horrid way of criticising another religious authority, whom you hated and regarded as a rival or even an enemy. Matthew, (Mt 3:22-30), tells us that, “The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’”

 

​Jesus patiently called them to himself in order to explain where his power to expel evil spirits came from. “So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand.’” What Jesus says is as clear as can be. A kingdom or a household divided against itself cannot stand, so he cannot be casting out evil spirits by the power of the prince of devils. Satan cannot be divided against himself. That would make no sense.

 

​Jesus goes on to say something more important. Accusing him of casting out evil spirits by the power of Beelzebul is tantamount to blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, for they are refusing to recognise Jesus for who he really is, the Messiah, the Christ, the Incarnate Son of God. “’I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’”

 

All this took place two thousand years’ ago. We must pray that today people will recognise Jesus for who he is. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a good time to do this.