February 8, 2016

THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

Matthew 12:15–32

Jennifer Kling
Monday's Devo

February 8, 2016

Monday's Devo

February 8, 2016

Central Truth

You can't be forgiven if you reject God's forgiveness.

Key Verse | Matthew 12:31–32

"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 12:31-32)

Matthew 12:15–32

God's Chosen Servant

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18  “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
    my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19  He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20  a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21      and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

22 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. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 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. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 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. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 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.

Dive Deeper | Matthew 12:15–32

Growing up in church, I had a poor understanding of this passage and was terrified that I might accidentally commit "The Unpardonable Sin." I've since learned that I wasn't the only one with this fear. But biblical context for any passage is always important, so what is Jesus really saying here?

To give you some background, Jesus had been on the Pharisees' bad side ever since He began His healing ministry. Not only was He refusing to follow their legalistic rules, He was impressing the people with His miracles. They'd even started wondering whether this was the Son of David. Jesus could heal with just a word or a touch. He could order a demon to leave, and it obeyed. Even though He was not the warlord they were expecting, the people couldn't deny that these were signs of the Messiah.

This did not sit well with the Pharisees, so they attempted to defame Jesus by saying His exorcisms were actually the work of Satan. But Jesus knew their thoughts (verse 25). He heard what they said, and He knew why they said it. Not only had they slandered Him, they also slandered the Holy Spirit by whom Jesus performed these miracles. After soundly defeating their claims with three devastating arguments, Jesus gave the Pharisees a choice: remain in their dead religion or follow Him (verse 30). Then He let them know just how serious their actions were (verses 31-32).

Here's the part that is confusing: over and over, the Bible speaks of God's limitless grace. Even the executioners who killed God's Son were forgiven (Luke 23:34). So what did the Pharisees do that was so unforgivable?

One answer is that they attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan when they knew it wasn't true. Because Jesus knew their thoughts, He also knew that their act of rejection was deliberate and unrepentant. Therefore, having rejected the redeeming work of the Holy Spirit, how could they then be redeemed? 

So, you see, this passage is really about what Christians have known all along. If a person rejects Christ's free gift of redemption and salvation, there are eternal consequences for that person.

Discussion Questions

1. What did this passage say to you the first time you read it? How did it make you feel? 

2. Has your perception of this passage changed?

3. Has God placed people in your life who have hardened their hearts against Christ? Have you prayed for them?