Read: Luke 11:14–23

But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” Luke 11:15

Jesus was healing people, teaching them about God, and casting out demons…and He was essentially called the devil—or at the very least—He was accused of being in league with the devil. It may seem to be a ridiculous claim, until we recognize that many Jews and Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day took offense when Jesus broke commonly accepted Sabbath laws and ritual observances. At first glance, Jesus could have easily been viewed as an enemy of the faith. Jesus was doing something new, and even if that new thing was good, the changes in cultural and religious practices Jesus was suggesting were greeted with fear and anger by many. Only a devil could inspire such a response in people of faith! Well, not exactly. Sometimes we fear a cure as much as an illness. Good medicine can be hard to swallow. A Savior can be more unwelcome than a serpent!

How would you respond to Jesus if He confronted you and told you that you had to change your ways?

Lord, we like to think we would welcome You with open arms if You were to walk into our lives. We believe we would be Your faithful followers cheering You on as You challenged the world. But it is very possible that we would deride You for trying to make a mess of our comfortable lives. We might even be tempted to call You names. Thank You for being a Lord and Savior who has a love big enough to include even those of us who might think of You as an enemy. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.