Key Thought

As the opposition to Jesus' ministry has risen with every one of his compassionate deeds, his opponents repeatedly reveal themselves to be preservers of the status quo, not seekers of truth. But in this episode, the impasse of truth and repentance pass each other going opposite directions. Jesus' opponents are now attributing his work to demons while Jesus, quoting the prophetic witness about his ministry, emphasizes that he does the work he does because he is full of God's Spirit and is fulfilling God's plan. To attribute the Spirit's work through Jesus to the power of demons is ultimate blasphemy. It blasphemes God who promised the Messiah would come in the power of the Spirit. It blasphemes the prophets who spoke with the authority and the voice of God about this ministry. It blasphemes Jesus because it associates his work with Satan. Finally, and ultimately, it blasphemes the Holy Spirit because the Spirit's work in Jesus' ministry is called Beelzebub's work. As long as people can see Jesus' work and attribute it to evil and demons, then there is no hope or forgiveness available.

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were doing. So Jesus left that place. Many people followed Jesus, and he healed all the sick people. But Jesus warned the people not to tell other people who he was. Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said. Isaiah said, "Here is my servant; I (God) have chosen him. I love him, and I am pleased with him; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will judge the nations fairly. He will not argue or shout; People will not hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the reed that is already bent; He will not stop the light that has almost stopped burning. He will continue until he makes fair judgment win the victory. All people will hope in him." Then some people brought a man to Jesus. This man was blind and could not talk, because he had a demon inside him. Jesus healed the man, and the man could talk and see. All the people were amazed. The people said, "Maybe this man (Jesus) is the Son of David {that God promised to send to us}!" The Pharisees heard the people saying this. The Pharisees said, "This man uses the power of Beelzebul (the devil) to force demons out of people. Beelzebul is the ruler of demons." Jesus knew the things that the Pharisees were thinking. So Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom that is fighting against itself will be destroyed. And every city that is divided cannot continue. And every family that is divided cannot succeed. So if Satan (the devil) forces out his own demons, then Satan is divided. And his kingdom will not be able to continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. If that is true, then what power do your people use when they force out demons? So your own people will prove that you are wrong. But I use the power of God's Spirit to force out demons. This shows that the kingdom of God has come to you. "If a person wants to enter a strong man's house and steal his things, first the person must tie the strong man. Then the person can steal the things fromthe strong man's house. "If a person is not with me, then he is against me. The person that does not work with me is working against me. So I tell you, people can be forgiven of every sin they do. And people can be forgiven for every bad thing they say. But if a person speaks against (refuses to accept) the Holy Spirit, then that person will not be forgiven. Any person that says things against the Son of Man can be forgiven. But any person that says things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. That person will not be forgiven now or in the future.

— Matthew 12:15-32 (ERV)

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