Time of transition

(One Perfect Life Chapters 61-63) In this portion of the Gospels we witness an important transition. We see the events that caused Him to transition from teaching in sermons to teaching in parables. Teaching in parables fulfills a messianic prophecy in Psalms 78:2. It also was a means for the truth to be transmitted to all but understood only by those to whom the Holy Spirit gave insight (Matthew 13:10-17).

In this passage Jesus is accused of having “lost His senses” and of working in partnership with Beelzebub – the devil. Jesus responds by healing a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Jesus shows His powers over man’s senses by restoring his vision and speech. Jesus shows His authority over satan (Matthew 12:22-24) by driving out the demon by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Pharisees accuse Him of driving out demons by the power of the devil. Jesus corrects them by pointing out that “a house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). This leads into a misunderstood passage about the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The verb used for “speaking” against the Holy Spirit is in the aorist subjunctive tense. The verb does not indicate a single event but a habitually, repeated event – the rejection of God.

There are persons who fear that because of a single action they have performed that they cannot be restored. Not true. Jesus teaches that persons that repeatedly reject the urgings of the Holy Spirit for them to repent and put their faith in Jesus are declaring themselves to be beyond pardoning because of their own ongoing choices. We can reject God for years but if we repent, He is ALWAYS willing to forgive us and welcome us into His family.

Jesus teaches that are words reveal what is in our hearts (Matthew 12:34-37). He also teaches that a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree, bad fruit (Matthew 12:33). Jesus brings these two truths together when He teaches that we will be judged by the words we speak. Our words reveal our hearts and can be agents of healing or hurt. Words can glorify or blaspheme God. Proverbs 4:23 states, “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

In response to Jesus rebuking the Pharisees they demand a sign to show He has the authority to correct them (Matthew 12:38-45). Jesus refuses because He has already performed many miracles. Also, He is simply explaining to them God’s word which needs no authentication. He does use the opportunity to point to His crucifixion and resurrection. He will die and be resurrected three days later in triumph over sin and death.

This portion of the Gospels ends with Jesus redefining His family as being spiritual and not physical (Matthew 12:46-50). Just as His kingdom is spiritual and not physical so is His family. We enter His family when we are “born from above” (John 3:3). We are in God’s family when we truly hear and practice the truth of God’s word.