18th March 2023

18th March 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 12v15-32)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Do you remember when Christ urged His Disciples to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Matthew 10v16)? In this instance Jesus displayed exactly what that advice looked like in practice. He understood that the Pharisees sought to destroy Him and so He wisely withdrew Himself from their presence (v15). But Jesus did not go into hiding, instead He continued to heal all of those who followed Him thus fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy “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. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench,until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Isaiah 42v1-4)


Jesus is the chosen servant of God in whom the Father is well pleased. Christ came in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring both Jew and Gentile to repentance and faith. The Lord gives hope to the weak, never breaking the one who is like a bruised reed and never snuffing out the one who is like a smouldering wick. The Messiah had come in power and authority, Scripture was being fulfilled.


Christ gave more evidence by healing a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute (v22) but while the people wondered "Can this be the Son of David?" (v23), the Pharisees were sure that Jesus was only able to cast out demons because He was working with Satan (v24). This response was utterly disgraceful and knowing their thoughts Jesus taught saying “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?" (v25-26)


In other words Jesus challenged the wisdom and logic of the Pharisees' accusation. If Christ was working with Satan to cast out a demon who was also with Satan, then Satan was divided and his kingdom could not stand. It simply made no sense that Jesus would confront Satan whilst at the same time being an ally of Satan. Furthermore it appears that some Pharisees also claimed to be able to cast out demons. If Jesus was working with Satan were the sons of the Pharisees also friends with Beelzebul? (v27). This was not something that the Pharisees could or would accept and so their own followers would act like judges in this matter - they were not in league with Satan and neither was Christ.   


Jesus performed His mighty acts in the power of the Spirit of God and therefore the kingdom of God had arrived (v28). The Lord had come not to join forces with Satan but to destroy him. Christ described Satan as "the strong man" (v29) accurately describing a fearsome foe but nevertheless Satan could not compare to Jesus. The Lord had entered the kingdom of man and tied up the strong man. The enemy of God's people was powerless to stop Jesus from plundering his house (v29).


What does this mean? Jesus has entered into a cosmic battle on our behalf and struck a decisive blow against Satan. The enemy remains active to this day but he has been bound by Christ and so his activity is restricted. In the meantime the Lord is plundering the house of Satan by the preaching of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit - Satan's captives are being set free.


The victory is not in doubt but the battle continues and whoever is not on the side of Christ is against Him and a scatterer (v30). The Pharisees were certainly against Jesus and it was in response to them that Jesus uttered a sombre warning "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." (v31-32)


These verses have proved controversial for they state that there is a sin that cannot be forgiven and this has caused many to wonder what that sin actually is. I've heard all sorts of explanations for these verses including the popular but incorrect assertion that suicide is the sin that can't be forgiven. But the answer is closer than we think.


Firstly. let's deal with the positive aspect of these verses. Jesus says that all manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven and anyone who speaks against Him can also find mercy. As we repent of our sin and put our faith in Christ we will find that God's grace is glorious indeed. Secondly, let's deal with the unforgivable sin. Jesus said blasphemy against the Spirit and speaking against the Spirit cannot and will not be forgiven.


What does this mean? Jesus cast out demons by the power of the Spirit and the Pharisees declared Him to be Satanic. This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This is the unforgivable sin. It is ultimately a sin of terrible unbelief that assigns the work of God to the enemy himself. It is a sin that sees the glory of the Gospel and spits all over it. It is a sin that shows such hardness of heart that the individual in question cannot and will not repent. It is an awful spiritual condition and Christ's teaching should serve as the strongest of warnings to the one who has no time for the things of God.


To the tender hearted Christian I would joyously counsel you that a Christian cannot commit the unforgivable sin. In the Christian life there will surely be times of difficulty and doubt but the true Believer can never totally or finally fall away. Thank God for how He has worked faith in you and will surely keep you to the end.


But to the individual that has grown cold to the things of God and increasingly hates the Gospel - my friend you are in dire need of Jesus. Your path away from Him is only leading to the one place and your bitterness towards Christ might indeed lead you to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit from where there is no return. Here is the Gospel...Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Here is your response...repent of your sins and put your faith in Christ. Do it now. Do it without delay. There may come a day that its too late.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q104 What do we pray for in the fourth petition? In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray, that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.
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