Matthew 12:29-32

Matthew 12:29-32

Or how is someone powerful enough to enter into the house of a strongman and forcefully take away his property – unless he should first bind the strongman?  And then he may thoroughly plunder his house.  The one who is not with me is against me.  And the one who does not gather with me scatters.  Because of this I say to you all: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to mankind, but the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.  And whoever should speak a word against the Son of Man – it will be forgiven to him.  But whoever should speak against the Holy Spirit – it will not be forgiven to him neither in this age nor in the age that is about to come.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

There is something that needs to be understood for this section of verses to make sense.  Jesus fully understands that God is the primary power in the universe.  However, Satan is the prince of this world.  Satan is likewise powerful – although certainly not as powerful as God.  But in order that human beings have free will to choose love of God, Satan’s power must be acknowledged and respected.  In that light, Jesus sees Himself as breaking into a world full of sin.  Jesus is the one breaking into the strongman’s house.  We need to respect and acknowledge the power that Satan does have in this world.  We should not follow it nor use it.  But we should acknowledge that in this parable Jesus compares himself to the one breaking into the strongman’s house.  Of course, Jesus likewise compares Himself to the one binding the strongman and plundering his house, too.  Satan may be powerful, but Jesus exerts power over Satan’s domain, too.

Why is it significant to understand that Jesus is comparing himself to a person breaking into a strongman’s house?  Do you see yourself as being in the same role as Jesus?  How might this affect how you see the world around you?

Second Thought:

Then Jesus makes a great pair of statements.  The one who is not with Jesus is by default against Him.  The one who is not gathering with Jesus is by default scattering.  I think this is a very imposing teaching.  Even if I am not antagonistic to Jesus I can still be against Him.  If I am pursuing my own agenda, then I’m not pursuing God’s agenda!  Even if my agenda is not contrary to Christ, the reality is that it is not in agreement with Him.  We like to think that there is neutral territory.  But there really isn’t.  Either I am actively helping to draw people closer to God through Christ or I’m not.

Are you with Christ, against Him, or for yourself?  Are you gathering with Christ?  How do you know?

Third Thought:

Finally, Jesus talks about forgiveness and things that will not be forgiven.  This is a very neat and confusing passage.  Jesus tells us that all sins against mankind can be forgiven.  Lying, sexual immorality, adultery, drunkenness, anger, even murder can be forgiven.  So what cannot be forgiven?  Humanity will not be forgiven when we speak out against the ministry of God.  The Holy Spirit is that which convicts us, draws us to God, and calls us forth.  When we deny the Holy Spirit’s call in our life – when we deny drawing closer to God in the first place – we will not be forgiven.  Human beings make all kinds of mistakes.  Those can be forgiven.  But what we will not be forgiven of is ultimately turning our back upon God.

How does it make you feel to hear that all things can and will be forgiven so long as we do not turn our back upon God?  Why is it important to understand our position with God and be open to His calling in our life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 12:33-37