In League With Satan
It’s a scene that Matthew, Mark, and Luke record, but for the sake of the length of the post, I’ll stick with Mark’s account. In the very quick beginning to Mark’s Gospel account, Jesus has already been preaching repentance (for the kingdom of God is at hand!) and healing all who were sick with various diseases. He has already sparked quite the reaction as the Pharisees and Herodians (an odd couple indeed) have begun seeking a way to destroy Him! And that’s already happening at the beginning of chapter 3! To add to that negative reaction, Jesus’ own family think that He is out of His mind (3:21)!
In the very next scene, the scribes begin taking their shots at Jesus. They try to discredit Him but most of all to shame Him as they proclaim that He casts out demons by the prince of demons. Jesus responds to them by explaining how ridiculous that assertion is and teaching the Parable of the Stronger Man.
This accusation begs the question: Who is actually in league with Satan? As Christians, we easily confess that it was the Pharisees, Herodians, scribes, elders and all the others who sought to destroy Jesus who were on the side of the devil.
For many years now, the Church has seen this demonic work continue as abortion was not only legalized but promoted and funded by taxpayers. While the faithful churches condemned such horrific acts, they were the ones who were accused of “being on the wrong side of history.” These faithful were and still are called hateful and bigots. Over the years, the Church has been attacked for her stance on this evil that the Scriptures condemn.
But who’s actually “in league with Satan” here? The answer is as obvious now as ever. With the state of Texas recently deciding to put into law a “heartbeat bill” which would ban abortions after six weeks of a baby being conceived, the truth is coming to light. It turns out that the ones wanting to cling to abortion are literally IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN as they join forces with the Satanic Temple who are challenging the ruling because abortion is sacramental to them.
When I first heard this news last week, I thought it had to be satire from the Babylon Bee, but it’s as real as it gets. It shouldn’t come as a shock to any in the Church because we’ve known all along that these acts were of the devil. Now it is in the light. The shocking thing (is it all that shocking, though?) is that no one seems to be batting an eye. Instead, we’ll see more and more condemn the Church while they very openly join forces with the devil. At least now, though, it’s out in the open. Sides have been taken. As the Church, we can continue to call the thing what it is while pointing to the evidence: You’ve literally joined with the Satanic Temple. You’re in league with Satan!
Much like in the Gospel accounts, the Word continues to garner a reaction within the world. There are those who cling to that Word as truth while others want to silence that Word and destroy it altogether. The modern-day Pharisees, Herodians, and scribes have joined forces against our Lord once again. We must continue to stand firm in the truth going forth as Christ our Lord did: proclaiming repentance for the forgiveness of sins for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.