Matthew 12:28-34 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 12:28-34 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Verse 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Verse 30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Verse 31Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Verse 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Verse 33"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. Verse 34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Devotion
A Moebius strip is one of my favorite things. To construct one, cut a foot-long piece of paper about an inch wide. Turn one end over, then form a circle, taping the ends together. You should have a “circle-with-a-twist.” Now, take a pen and draw a continuous line down the center of one side of your Moebius strip, going as far as you can without lifting it or going over the edge of the paper.
Have you finished? Look and you will discover that you have drawn a line down the center of both sides of the strip. How can this be? (If you want more interesting results, cut along the line. Then do it all again. Strange, isn’t it?)
Two sides? Or one side? Well, yes. Jesus said, “Love God...Love your neighbor.” Two commands? Or one command? Well, yes. In any case, Jesus makes it clear that nothing is more important.
Prayer
We wonder all sorts of things, Lord. We understand just a little. Sometimes we ask hard questions, maybe even trying to stump you. But you’ve made it pretty plain, and we pray for the grace and power to love you...and our neighbor...as you have commanded. Amen.