The Stronger One Has Come
22 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. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 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. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Matthew 12:22–32
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The Stronger One Has Come
The Pharisees witnessed Christ cast out a demon, yet they attributed His work to Satan. Their hearts were hardened against the very One who had come to destroy the devil’s kingdom. Jesus exposes their foolishness: Satan does not cast out Satan. The stronger One had come to bind the strong man and plunder his house. We, too, must beware of hearts that resist God’s Word, calling evil good and rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ warning concerning blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is serious. This is not a warning to those who fear they have sinned beyond forgiveness, but against persistent rejection of the Spirit’s testimony concerning Christ. Thanks be to God, Jesus has overcome Satan, not by worldly power, but through His suffering and death upon the cross. There He crushed the serpent’s head and won forgiveness for sinners. Through His Word and Sacraments, the Holy Spirit brings us to repentance and faith. Cling to Christ. In Him, Satan’s accusations cannot prevail, and forgiveness is freely given.
Matthew 12:22–32
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The Stronger One Has Come
The Pharisees witnessed Christ cast out a demon, yet they attributed His work to Satan. Their hearts were hardened against the very One who had come to destroy the devil’s kingdom. Jesus exposes their foolishness: Satan does not cast out Satan. The stronger One had come to bind the strong man and plunder his house. We, too, must beware of hearts that resist God’s Word, calling evil good and rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ warning concerning blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is serious. This is not a warning to those who fear they have sinned beyond forgiveness, but against persistent rejection of the Spirit’s testimony concerning Christ. Thanks be to God, Jesus has overcome Satan, not by worldly power, but through His suffering and death upon the cross. There He crushed the serpent’s head and won forgiveness for sinners. Through His Word and Sacraments, the Holy Spirit brings us to repentance and faith. Cling to Christ. In Him, Satan’s accusations cannot prevail, and forgiveness is freely given.
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2026
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