If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
What does it mean to be divided? What are is the accusation they level at Jesus? They suggest that he does good things but has ulterior motives for those good things. We learn from Jesus the importance of integrity. We need to do the right things for the right reasons or we won't be able to stand. We won't have force, will be ineffective, subject to all sorts of external influences. Jesus has power because his Spirit is entirely to do the will of the Father. He is strong enough the plunder all the property of the evil one. He is strong enough to set us free. But in order to receive that freedom we need to recognize that the Spirit in which he acts is the Holy Spirit. If we demean or diminish what he is doing we cannot receive enough of it to set us free. We need to give Jesus a blank check, carte blanche approval, certifying that we completely trust his Holy Spirit and give it permission to work in us without limit. We don't start with the amazing and perfect integrity of purpose that Jesus does. But if we trust his Holy Spirit there is nothing that can prevent us from receiving it.
David was told, "You cannot enter here:
the blind and the lame will drive you away!"
which was their way of saying, "David cannot enter here."
But David did take the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.
David grew steadily more powerful,
for the LORD of hosts was with him.
Just as David united the kingdom of Israel Jesus leads the kingdom of heaven here on earth to ever increasing unity. He leads it to the very unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is why we read about the "unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace". Utter rejection of this unity is unforgivable. But we all reject it in small and occasional ways. Let's stop that! Let's allow Jesus to bring us to the full unity of the Trinity that he desires for us and for the world.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand upon the sea,
his right hand upon the rivers.”
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