They brought to Jesus a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could he?” When the Pharisees heard, they said, “This man throws out demons only by the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he replied, “Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan throws out Satan, he is at war with himself. How then can his kingdom endure? And if I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I throw out demons by the power of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has already overtaken you. Can people go into a house that belongs to a strong man and steal his possessions, unless they first tie up the strong man? Then they can rob his house. Whoever isn’t with me is against me, and whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters. “Therefore, I tell you that people will be forgiven for every sin and insult to God. But insulting the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, not in this age or in the age that is coming. (Matthew 12:22-32, CEB)
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is how I remember this, but here in the CEB it is “But insulting the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven.” And to me, that doesn’t really make it any clearer. Jesus continued above, “And whoever speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, not in this age or in the age that is coming.” Which I take to me, say what you want about me, because it will all be forgiven, but if you say they spirit can’t do what the spirit is doing then you will never be forgiven. But what is speaking against the Spirit?
The thing that constantly comes to my mind when this verse comes up is saying that God/the Spirit can’t do something. God is all-powerful and the creator of all, so God can do whatever God wants to. Even if we think it impossible, even if we do not want it to happen. God can and will do whatever God wants and for us to say it can’t happen is speaking against the Spirit.
We do not have to understand, nor do we always get to understand. That is why it is called faith.
Just love and let God do what God will and enjoy the ride.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 