ain to
be "brought to desolation," or like a house thus divided and sure to fall.
Vs. 17, 18. He then turned the charge against themselves: some of their
countrymen claimed the power to cast out demons; Jesus did not discuss the
reality of these reputed cures but pointedly asked by what power they were
effected; is it also demonic power? v. 19. Jesus then declared definitely
that his miracles were being wrought by divine power and that their
character was a certain proof that he was representing not the kingdom of
the Devil but "the kingdom of God." V. 20. Instead of aiding the Devil, he
was despoiling him. He described the Devil as though a strong man, fully
armed and guarding his goods, but Jesus himself was a "stronger than he,"
and was taking away his armor and delivering his captives by miracles of
grace. Vs. 21, 22. In this conflict there can be no neutrality; one must
be on the side either of the Devil or of Christ. V. 23.

Jesus then rebuked his enemies by the parable of the Unclean Spirit. The
demon of unbelief had once possessed the Jews, and had been manifested in
the form of idolatry; it had been cast out, but it had returned with more
terrible manifestations of hypocrisy, covetousness, hatred, fanaticism,
and pride. Such had been the fate of the nation; and such is the
experience of an individual who turns from sin and rebels against Satan
but fails to accept the Lordship of Christ. The empty heart is in peril.
Reformation is not regeneration. One must beware of the demon of unbelief.
Vs. 24-26.

At this juncture a "woman out of the multitude" interrupted with an
expression of congratulation for the mother of Jesus. In reply Jesus
intimated that his mother might rightly be called "blessed," but that the
woman had missed the real point; it was a privilege to sustain to Christ
such a close human and natural relationship, but better far to possess
that spiritual kinship which is indicated by faith and by obedience to
God. Vs. 27, 28.

Jesus continued to rebuke the unbelief of the Jews as he now turned to
answer directly the demand for "a sign from heaven." He declared that such
a sign would be given, in his resurrection from the dead. This miracle
would be wrought without any human intervention; it would be a direct act
of God and would fulfill the conditions of "a sign from heaven;" it would
be the counterpart of the miraculous deliverance of Jonah from the sea.
However, the very demand for such a sign was