We consider the overwhelming power and beauty of Christ’s personality. His great generosity to the poor, the sick, and the sinners. We consider the brilliance and power of His teaching, the endless stream of healing, and the irreproachable holiness of life and we are puzzled!

Jesus asked the enemies one day on the steps of the temple

“Which of you can convict me of sin?”

None could accuse Him. Why, then had Jesus become a sign of contradiction,” Why did they consider Him a public enemy?

Despite the good things that Jesus performed, the experts of the law said,

“He has Beelzebul/demon on his side, they said, it is by the ruler of demons that He casts out demons.

Jesus spoke to them by way of analogy:

• How can Satan cast out Satan?
• A kingdom which is divided, and has internal dissensions, against itself cannot stand.
• If satan had risen against himself and is divided, cannot stand.

The defeat of the demons did not show that Jesus was in alliance with satan; it showed that satan’s defences had been breached; a stronger name had arrived, and the conquest of satan had begun.

We feel very much shocked at the blindness, ignorance or bad will of Jesus’ enemies.

• Are we too shocked at our own defects?
• How often we treat Jesus as a sign of contradiction?
• How often we cast aside His teaching, how often we have refused Him and conspired against Him?

Jesus brought redemption His people were not prepared for! Yet, as we look back and around us, we can truly ask,

“What else would have brought true redemption? What other redemption did we need?

You are far too good for us, Son of Man! You did too perfectly what we hope and are never able to accomplish. You will always be the “sign of contradiction.” And for that very reason, you will always be the sign of hope and redemption.

@ Christ the King Parish, Kampala