A House Divided

a house with lightning slashing it in half

In 1 Samuel chapter 8, God reluctantly gave in to the request of the people of Israel for a king. God made sure the prophet, Samuel, told the people all of the failings that would come with human leadership, but they were determined to be like the other nations.

So often this same scenario plays out in families with children: the child asks for something detrimental, the parent denies the request initially, then the parent realizes that the child must learn some things from experience. This way leads to heartbreak for everyone. God's heart also breaks at our desire for things outside of God's will.

7 and the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them."

(1 Samuel 8:7)

As Jesus' ministry was just picking up steam in Mark 3, his mother and brothers were so disturbed by the reports of Jesus casting out demons that they attempted to restrain him - believing Jesus was not in his right mind. At the same time the scribes tried to discount everything Jesus was doing by attributing his power to Satan. To these accusations, Jesus responded with logic.

23 And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:23-25)

To his family, Jesus responded by simply aligning himself with those who were willing to share in the undignified life of ministry to which he was called - becoming an outcast to reach those on the margins. We must choose rather we are willing to be seen as different, and be separated from the world, or be like the world and be separated from God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure,18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)