Week 7 | The First Sunday After Epiphany

The Collect:

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit. Great to us Lord, we who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Scripture:

Daniel 7:13-14 and I saw One like a son of man…

Psalm 29 the Lord blesses His people with peace…_

Luke 3:15-22 you are My beloved Son. I take delight in you!_

Matthew 12:22-30 the kingdom of God has come to you_

Homily:

This passage is a continuation of a discussion that started when Jesus' disciples ate some grain while walking on the Sabbath. The discussion continued as both groups entered the local synagogue. There was a man there that had a withered hand, and the religious leaders, who wanted Jesus to break the Law so that they could use it against him, quizzed Jesus on the legality of healing that man's hand on the Sabbath. Jesus heals the man, and then the Pharisees "went out and conspired against" (Matthew 12:14, ESV) Jesus.

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and Jesus heard the man. The witnesses to this miracle were amazed and asked, "could this be the Son of David"? (Matthew 12:23, ESV) However, the question was asked in a manner that suggested they expected a negative answer. Jesus knowing this, did not answer their question directly; instead, he told them the story about kingdoms, cities, or houses "that are divided against themselves" (Matthew 12:25). Division and infighting in those entities will cause them to fail.

Jesus explains that if he got his power from Satan as the Jewish leaders claimed, Satan's house was divided and would likely fall. Everyone agreed that driving out a demon or performing an exorcism was a blow against Satan. Jesus had just driven out those demons, delivered such a blow, and so then divided Satan's house.

Jesus further answered their question by saying he had just demonstrated that he had power over demons. If Jesus were getting his power from Satan, then Satan would be destroying his kingdom by giving Jesus the power. Arguably, no one would give someone else power that could destroy themselves.

Jesus then tells them another parable. He asks, "how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man"? (Matthew 12:29, CSB) In this case, Jesus is the strong man. By Driving out demons and performing miracles, Jesus had proven that he was stronger than the forces of evil. If Jesus' power then came from Satan, why would he have to "bind the strong man" when he was the strong man?

The overall point of Jesus' story was to show that he was the Messiah. He proved his point not by pointing out all the miracles and wonderful things he had done; instead, he used the religious leader's faulty logic against them.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, Lord and creator of all that is, we praise You and thank You for sending Your beloved Son to live with us and die for us.

May You be delighted by we Your Church and by we Your People, just as You were delighted with Your Son Jesus, our Lord, and our Savior.

Grant us the peace of His Kingdom that will rule forever!

Glory be to God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit in Jesus Name

Amen