Matthew 12:22-29  "Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb and He healed him... " 

This passage has so much more significance to me than I ever realized before.  Up until this point Jesus has been saying, ".. the kingdom is at hand"..  but now He says.. "then the kingdom of God has come upon you."  Everything that Jesus taught and every action that He took prior to this statement has led to this vital truth.  He revealed the true nature of those who would receive the kingdom. He revealed His authority over all things that pertain to the kingdom.  He offered the invitation to those who would come to Him and receive the kingdom.  

Now, He uses this situation and the accusations of the Pharisees to declare that the Kingdom "has come".. Jesus had delivered others from demon possession before, so this is not what sparks this declaration. It is when the Pharisees say "This man casts demons out only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.. " that Jesus reacts in the way He does. He actually makes three arguments to set them straight. We'll  just look at the first.. 

Verses 25-27 "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste.. and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?"   This is a very logical argument.  (Isn't it interesting that the Pharisees were willing to give Satan credit for a miracle, but not Jesus?)  Why would Satan do such a thing?  He wouldn't.. he is evil, he is a liar, and he is an accuser.  There is no indication anywhere that he is a healer. There is no reason for him to help the poor man who was blind and dumb. And the Pharisees had no justification for their accusations. After all, some of their own "sons" cast out demons too. Would they ever consider them as agents of Satan? Of course not! Their statement had no truth in in and they knew it!

The only One who can cast out a demon is One who is greater than him.  "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?"  The greater power is the Spirit of God.  So if the Spirit of God is at work here, Jesus says, "then the kingdom of God has come upon you." 

In the Kingdom.. Satan is vanquished.. darkness is overcome by the Light.. Truth breaks through the lies.. and healing is given.... And we are all invited to  enter into the Presence of the King.  Hallelujah! 

Father in heaven, how we thank and praise You for the gift of Life in Your Kingdom through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Let Your Name be kept sacred and honored!  Let Your kingdom come in all its fulness.. where all evil is brought to an end and righteousness is established in all the earth!  Let Your will be done in us and in our world as it is in heaven.  Lord, we are see such lostness and hopelessness all around us.  Our world is in great need of the Truth that Jesus saves.. that He has overcome.. and that He alone can deliver men from the evil one.  Lead us in paths of righteousness and fill us with Your love so that we can bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are weary and heavy-laden.  We ask this in Jesus' name. amen.