April 2, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“While the two men who were blind but now could see were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.  When the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.‘”

(Matthew 9.32-34)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

The fullness of Holy Week as Jesus ministered to the sick, the lame, the blind, the lost, the disenfranchised as well as the hypocrites was no different that when His ministry first began. Jesus was, is and will always be consistent. He was a man, a man of God and the Son of God. His identity never changed in life nor in death. What did change was the responses of people around Him and because of Him. This includes those demonized and thus who were shaped by a culture and climate that was essentially demonic was well. Simple put, the culture which worked against God was demonic. It reflected the very heart and soul of the “Prince of Demons,” Satan or Lucifer who had been cast out of Heaven. They are all the same by any other name. In the context of the New Testament at the close of the first century, the term was known as Anti-Christ. Being “anti-Christ” defines anyone who denies the authority of Jesus as the Christ as a Teacher, Shepherd, Prophet, Priest and King. All of these “positions” belong under the crown of Messiah.

In today’s scripture, Jesus is accused of being “anti-God.” The Pharisees who witnessed or were witnessed to about the ministry of Jesus by word and deed made this declaration. They said He was authorized to do all that He did by the Prince of Demons, Satan. This declaration would arise again later (Matthew 12) and Jesus would point out that Satan could not remain in the presence of God. Further, if Satan cast out those loyal to him then his kingdom was divided and would surely fall apart. He would not dare make his position weak. What purpose would it serve to authorize Jesus to cast out demons loyal to Satan? Jesus was speaking to His identity as being “of God.” Only God could cast out demons, make the sick well, set the captives free and forgive the sins of person, nation and world. Jesus revealed Himself as anti-Satan and anti-all who would pervert the Word of God for their own purpose and agenda. His declaration would include calling them all “sons of a viper” (Matthew 23.33). Let us take hold of the fullest meaning of Holy Week. It is not the coronation of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. It is the preparation of God’s people to be the people of God, holy and righteous and redeemed. This is our week because of Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.