Scripture: Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever 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.
Matthew 12:22-31 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Matthew tells his audience that Jesus was fully aware of the Pharisees’ murderous intentions toward him. Nevertheless, he continues his healing ministry with greater emphasis on keeping his Messianic identity confidential. Matthew adds that, once again, Jesus’ words and deeds righteously accord with the Suffering Servant Isaiah foretold (see Isaiah 21:1-4).
For today’s reading, Jesus mercifully heals a blind and mute demon-possessed man amid a crowd of eyewitnesses and the spying Pharisees. Marveling at his miraculous healing, the people exclaim, “Can this be the Son of David?” The Pharisees knew the implication of the astonished crowd’s question and swiftly dismissed such a notion and accused Jesus of acting under the authority of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (i.e., Satan).
Thus, Jesus reasons against their preposterous accusation using two short parables in verses 26-30. Both reinforce Jesus’ assertion (v.25) that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Having once again trumped the Pharisees’ machinations to incriminate him, Jesus proceeds to accuse them of two sins that will lead to their demise:
- You’re either for me and gather the lost flock or against me and scatter them (v.30).
- You are committing the only unpardonable sin: denying the hand of God working through the Holy Spirit, tantamount to blaspheming God, meriting capital punishment (v.31).
It is a stern but warranted warning for these religious leaders who are not only fighting against God but also misleading his people.
Takeaway: As theologian David Wilkins notes, the “common people” of Jesus’ day hoped the Messiah would follow King David’s robust military leadership style (The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, p.446). Moreover, David was the only Old Testament servant of God who delivered a demon from a man (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Thus, the crowd hoped this bold prophet standing up against the oppressive religious leaders would be their David-esque Messiah. Consequently, the many who would months later welcome Jesus into Jerusalem the Sunday before Passover would jeer him and cry for his crucifixion five days later because he did not meet their expectations, typifying the mercurial behavior of unbelief.
Our takeaway and part? Focusing on Jesus’ two warnings, the first emphasizes that you can’t be neutral about Jesus’ identity. As three great writers of Christian thought (John Duncan, Watchman Nee, and C.S. Lewis) argued about the Biblical record of Christ’s claim to be the Son of God, he is either:
- Deceitful (as the Pharisees concluded)
- Delusional (as King Herod surmised)
- Divine (as all the New Testament writers attest)
And while all of us are initially ignorant of who Jesus is until the Holy Spirit reveals his identity, what we do with this truth that the Son of God is our Lord and Savior is what matters. If we do not humble ourselves, repent, and receive his gifts of salvation and ongoing grace, we will be no better off than the Pharisees and Herod. We will perilously deceive ourselves and others, delusionally think we are in control, and foolishly try to make ourselves the center of our universe (divine).
Secondly, Jesus says that “whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven” (v.32), but not if they speak against the Holy Spirit (stated twice in vv.31-32). Why? Are not all sins forgivable? Yes, if we sincerely repent and seek forgiveness. Here, Jesus addresses the actions of the Pharisees and others who are so calcified of heart, so closed-minded to the truth, that there is no spark of the Holy Spirit in them to see with their spiritual eyes and believe. Thus, they blaspheme the Holy Spirit by attributing to the devil (or any person or object) his supernatural work. At the heart of it, they deny the source of the miracles, thereby rejecting their only means of salvation and eternal life. Indeed, changing hearts from stone to flesh is the greatest miracle we will see and experience.
Pastoral note: If you or a loved one worries that you may have committed the unpardonable sin, the fact that you are concerned means you have not. But you would do well to follow Peter’s advice, who denied Christ three times: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV). So give your concerns and fears to Christ—it’s an act of faith through the work of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you and your Son for sending us your Holy Spirit, who ignites our faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior. And we thank you that he continues to interpret even our sighs and groans and intercede for us. So, please strengthen our faith in and rely on the work of your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us as we sojourn our fallen world toward your heavenly kingdom, where we will worship and enjoy you and your Son forever. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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