When Jesus removed a demon from a blind and mute man as recorded in Matthew’s gospel (12:22), the Pharisees (read: those with a self righteous conviction to confidently asses and judge the action of others) accused Jesus of using darkness to combat darkness. It was not a theological attack nor even a logical attack. It was an attempt to discredit His character. It was an attack of the person. But Jesus was unmoved because the kingdom of heaven is unmovable. Further, he knew their thoughts and thus knew their game. So, he threw the logic of their lack of logic back at them: “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” (12:26 NASB). It won’t. Jesus knows it. The Pharisees know it. The onlookers know it. It wasn’t merely a failed argument that hadn’t been fleshed out far enough. It was no argument at all. It was a refusal to accept Jesus as the Lord of lords.
There are many kings in this world and likewise many lords. Take away the antiquity of the language and it really is a universal concept. “Who is in charge here?” “Who made this decision?” “Who did you vote for?” “Who is your father?” Kings and lords: those with authority and power and influence. The Pharisees knew Jesus had authority, but they refused to even acknowledge the possibility that His authority might be messianic. Jesus continues against them with: “If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.” (Matthew 12:27 NASB). Beelzebul is one name given to Satan. It is believed by some commentators to be the combination of “Baal” and “zebûl”, together meaning lord of the house. Thus, it is fitting how Jesus transitions from these rhetorical questions to a parable of a strong man, a house, and an intruder. The strong man is a lord; the intruder is the Lord; and the house is the world. There are those that abandon logic and discipline in an effort to discredit Jesus. However, they fail to recognize that Jesus has not come for theological debates, but to plunder the darkness of its possessions. “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” (Matthew 12:29 NASB). It is a mini parable, but its meaning is succinct: Jesus intends to plunder the house of darkness. And to do that, he will first bind up the lord of the house, Satan, Beelzebul, the enemy. Which brings me to the point: Who is the lord over your house? Is it a lord or the Lord?
It is only appropriate that Jesus holds the title, Lord of lords, for he will plunder every lord, king, and kingdom for His Father’s glory. No level of authority, whether earthly or spiritual, will go untouched by His reign. Which brings me to another point: Who is in charge of you? Who do you answer to? Jesus said there will be wars (read: protests, upheavals, the inevitability of injustice) and rumors of wars. But again, who do you work for? Who is your lord? Are you pharisaic in your judgement of others? Of everything? Have you forfeited logic and discipline for a cheap and sordid accusation against the Logos? Have you exercised your free will to the point of needing an exorcism?
The law is for the lawless, but the law of the Spirit is for those that the Lord of lords has stolen from the world. “These [kings opposed to Christ] will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of Lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”” (Revelation 17:14 NASB).
