From Matthew 12:22-32 / Un-pardoned, not unpardonable.

Whether or not this event occurred at the very same time in the synagogue as the one before it, the text is not clear on. What is clear, is that Jesus was so openly manifesting His Sonship and the Kingdom, that it would take an active refusal to disbelieve the obvious. And this is precisely what took place.

In the process, we are confronted with a most startling pronouncement in vss. 31-32.

Before we get there, there are several other things to take notice of.

Note first then the Pharisees charge against Jesus to be acting out of the power of Satan, and His response.

Some things do not need deep, theological answers – they are stupid on the surface, nonsensical. Jesus doesn’t need to go deep with their charge against Him here, He simply needs to point out that their reasoning is illogical.

But when we (or others) have an agenda or a point of view, it is often the case that we will not let common sense or logic get in the way of pursuing our course. Here, they were so opposed to Jesus, it didn’t matter to them if their argument was so obviously ridiculous. If Satan casts out Satan, what possible advantage would that be to him? Nonsense!

They would accuse Him anyway. But Jesus doesn’t go into a long discourse on demonology. He dismisses their charge out of hand as patently ridiculous.

Note too that even Christians can fall into this same behavior if we are not careful. God’s purposes and reasoning are never nonsense. There are times when His logic soars high above ours – but it is never obviously stupid. And if it is stupid, like so many of the so-called prophecies and foolishness making the rounds in Evangelicalism today – don’t waste your time formulating detailed responses – just reject it and walk away. It distracts us from seeking first the kingdom of Christ and His righteousness.

Jesus points to another obvious fallacy in their charge when He points to the evident continuation of His work in the Disciples. Who are these “sons” who also cast out demons? Jesus’ disciples. They who will testify that the power they have received is not from Satan, but authority grated to them by Jesus. Will they accuse the whole lot of working by the power of Beelzebul when so many were obviously delivered from bondage?

Note Jesus’ statement in vs. 30 that those who are not with Him are against Him. In another place, He’ll say something quite different – that those who are not against Him, are with Him. (Luke 9:49-50)

Hint to preachers: Seeing how those two fit together would make a useful sermon, incorporating a similar seeming dichotomy in Proverbs 26:4-5.

The statement in vs. 30 is not one of proximity, but of relationship. If any are not “with” Jesus in the breaking in of and advancing His Kingdom – they are His enemies. He is out to destroy the works of the Devil. To live apart from His kingship, is to remain allied with the Rebellion. If we will not side with Him, then we WILL be vanquished by Him. There are only two sides in this battle, and none are neutral.

Note lastly Jesus’ terrifying statement in 31-32. This refers to what is commonly, but errantly labeled the “unpardonable sin.” In error I believe, because the text does not say the sin cited cannot be forgiven, but that God has determined He will not forgive it.

Now the issue here deserves much thought, study and prayer. Many a sad Christian with a tender conscience has feared they may have committed such a sin, and lived in a tortured but unnecessary condition. The great hymnist William Cowper is a prime example. But the issue here is not mere blasphemy. If it were, we could never read Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:13 “though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.”

Here is where the difference between Paul and those Jesus is confronting must be recognized. Paul blasphemed in “unbelief.” They, apparently, know full well this is the finger of God, but are so opposed to Jesus and losing their authority, that they will deny what they know to be true about Him in order to take people off from trusting Him. This, God says, He will not forgive.

It is the Holy Spirit’s mission to testify to Jesus. To purposely obscure or deny that witness, is to place oneself in eternal jeopardy. Revelation 19:10 – “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

I believe John MacArthur phrases it something like this: To knowingly ascribe the works of the Holy Spirit through Jesus, to the Devil – so as to turn people away from faith in Christ.

JM will go on to argue that such a thing could only have taken place during the incarnation, and as such, none can commit that sin today. For Jesus is not here, performing miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit for us to knowingly deny. It was unique to that place and time.

Hint to preachers: It is good, when preaching narrative passages, to demonstrate why we do not take unique events and try to make them normative in the Church for all places, all people and at all times. To fail to reckon with the unique time of the incarnation is to over-apply some passages which cannot and should not be made normative in the Church today.

When all is said and done, in this passage, we have the most undeniable revelation of Christ, His person, power and authority. We have supplied to us a most wonderful testimony to set our hearts on as sure and incontrovertible. What a glorious Savior He is. For He crushes all the powers of darkness with but a word.