Matthew 12: The Lord and His Family (5)
Pray Psalm 1.6.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Sing Psalm 1.4-6.
Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory
Not so rooted are the wicked, like chaff blowing in the wind.
They shall not stand with the righteous but shall be judged in their sin.
For the LORD knows all the righteous, but the wicked’s ways shall end.
Read Matthew 12.1-45; meditate on verses 31-45.
Prepare.
1. How is the “blindness” of the Pharisees apparent in these vignettes?
2. How does Jesus warn us against wickedness?
Meditate.The common thread uniting these four pericopes (passages or vignettes) is the blinding power of sin. Sin is the great enemy of life, and Jesus is the Lord of life, making Him the mortal enemy of sin.
The unpardonable sin of verses 31 and 32 is clear: Anyone who speaks (actually, “continues to speak” or even, “persists in speaking”) against the Holy Spirit—in effect, saying “No!” to every “Yes!” of the Spirit—condemns himself for as long as he continues in his hardness. If a person won’t see the truth that is in Jesus, that person cannot know the forgiveness Jesus offers. But there is always room for repentance.
The proof of being right with God is not in one’s birth or attainments (vv. 33-37). A “tree” must be made good, so that it bears good fruit. Only God and His grace can do that, and only through Jesus. Those who oppose the good works of Jesus oppose Him, and thus, by definition, are evil. Their words show them to be opposed to the Righteous One of God, and thus their own words condemn them (v. 37).
So blind were the scribes and Pharisees that they decided to insist on signs rather than good works (vv. 38-42). They had seen Jesus do many good works, but they wanted magic, not mercy. They tried to manipulate Jesus to satisfy their will and desire, just like many of us do from time to time. Jesus pointed to the “resurrection” of Jonah and said that should be sign enough. Then He recalled the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon, and how she extolled his wisdom, and He put Himself above even that (cf. 1 Kgs. 10.1-13). How blind could they be?
Finally, Jesus returned to the demon theme that began in verse 12. He casts them out, but, unless that spiritual void is filled with the Spirit of Jesus, they’ll be back and with more trouble in tow. Those who see in Jesus not Beelzebub but the true and powerful Lord of all spirits will turn to Him and clean up their act. Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees: “Don’t be blind! See me for Who I am, and follow Me!”
Only the spiritually blind will resist that invitation and call. Pray for them to be healed of their blindness.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
The common theme running through these verses is the inward life—the heart of the matter.
The good news that Jesus shared is that “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men”; but the dire warning followed on the heels of the good: “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men…whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matt. 12.31, 32).
When we “speak against the Spirit” we are denying that Jesus is God.
We are denying that He was crucified, died, and three days later, rose from the dead.
We are denying the gift for sanctification given by the Holy Spirit.
We are denying everything that leads to salvation and new life in Jesus Christ.
Thus the egregious curse against us “in this age and in the age to come”—eternal separation from God.
Even if we believe that Jesus is Who He says He is, unless we fill our cleaned-up self with the Word of God, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are no better off than we were before we “believed.”
It is as Jesus told the Pharisees:
even a person who has cleaned the demons out of their life,
unless they determine to fill the emptiness with Jesus and His Spirit,
the once removed wickedness will say:
“I will return to my house from which I came.”
And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself,
and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matt. 12.44, 45).
Peter elaborated further on this problem:
“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
they are again entangled in them and overcome,
the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Pet. 2.20, 21).
Isaiah wrote: “In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and
He bore them and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit;
so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them” (Is. 63.9, 10).
This is an age-old problem that has tripped up people from the get go.
To believe in a “near Christianity” and not the full Kingdom Gospel—Holy Spirit forward, worshiped, and adored—puts us on the wrong side of God.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4.24).
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12.34).
Inside, in our inward being, we must know the truth of the Holy Spirit, cling to Him, and never blaspheme or doubt. We want the end of our Kingdom walk to reflect the beginning, and the now, of our walk with Him.
“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and
in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom” (Ps. 51.6).
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4.23).
Reflect.
1. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How do you know when you are filled?
2. If we’re not filled with the Spirit and walking in Him, to what are we vulnerable?
3. How can you help someone who is “blind” to see the truth that is in Jesus?
By a sevenfold operation the Holy Spirit is committed to our care, so that we may have the “spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and fortitude, knowledge and true godliness, and fear of God.” Arrayed on the opposite side of this sevenfold good is the sevenfold evil: the spirit of stupidity and error, the spirit of foolhardiness and cowardice, the spirit of ignorance and impiety, and the spirit of pride against the fear of God. These are seven evil spirits. Augustine (354-430), Sermon 72A.2
Pray Psalm 1.1-3.
What fruit will you bear for the Lord today? How will it be seen that you are His witness and servant?
Sing Psalm 1.1-3.
Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory
Blessed the one who walks not in the counsel of ungodly men;
stands not in the path of sinners, joins not scorners in their sin.
But his joy is in the LORD’s law, and he meditates therein.
He shall flourish like a tree transplanted by the streams of grace;
rooted near life-giving waters, growing strong in this blessed place—
ever fruitful, never with’ring, prospering before God’s face.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
We invite you to join us in ReThinking Church. We explain further at our ReThinking Church page, here.
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column begins to examine the hope for the church, especially struggling churches. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
