The Context of Conflict
“And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Mark 3:25
Divided – The number of times this passage has been applied to the political realm makes it a very familiar saying, often quoted when someone is pressing for unity. But using it as a call for political agreement ignores the context of Jesus’ statement. Yes, it might be true that we need a unified front when it comes to political issues, but Jesus was not talking about politics, or government, at all. He was talking about the cosmic consequences of disrupting the house of Satan. Get the context right and you will find something far more consequential – and far more frightening.
In Mark’s account, Jesus is pressed by the crowds. They want healing. They want wisdom. They want relief. This time a group of scribes are present. Jesus is exercising a power they cannot condone, so they ascribe His authority to Satan. Jesus must have a demon in order to do all these things.
Do we see ourselves saying this? Jesus does what we cannot endorse. He heals those who are unworthy. He forgives those who are unrighteous. He does not pay any attention to our rules for proper religious behavior. His very presence challenges our interpretation of God’s will. All those proof texts go out the window if we can’t reign Him in. Since we think we already have God in our box, the only explanation left is that Jesus must be from the other side. We are right, therefore He must be wrong. If you have never heard the voice of the scribe echoing in your head, then you probably haven’t understood just how radical Jesus’ claims are. Jesus will not, and does not, accommodate Himself to your version of proper religion. You might ask yourself just how much of what you say and do really reflects what He says and does – and how much is simply acceptable church behavior.
Mark uses the Greek merizo. It means “to divide, separate, disassemble.” Jesus defends the honor of the Father exhibited through His actions with the metaphor of a disrupted household. How can Satan be responsible for doing what is good? Satan does not work against himself. The scribes are stunned; shocked into silence. Agreeing with Jesus’ metaphor can mean only one thing. Their version of what God can and cannot do is wrong. They must eat humble pie and confess their arrogance. Of course, they will do no such thing. It is easier to insult Jesus as demonic.
In this era, we think that we can distinguish the hand of the Master from the work of the devil. We think that we have it all wrapped up. Then we come across a group of believers who are doing what God would do but don’t accept our theological views. They might even attend a church we think is outside the pale. Help! Our neatly packaged theology is being shattered. Have you ever wondered if our denominational distinctions are not symptoms of an unhealthy house? Maybe Jesus’ response to the scribes is one that we need to hear more often. “Look at the works that I do and give glory to God.” Is that how you see the other side of the aisle?
