25: A Different Kind of King (Mt 12:15-32)

Spell Czechoslovakia

The story is told of a woman died and God put her in charge of those entering the Pearly Gate of heaven. The way to get in heaven was to be able to spell one word. The word was “grace.”

Shortly thereafter, she was surprised to see her husband approaching the gate.

He told her that at her funeral he met this beautiful young woman and a week later took her out for dinner. On the way home he died in an accident.

He then asked how he was to get in the gates.

She said: Spell one word: “Czechoslovakia.”

Aren’t you GRATEFUL for God’s Grace?

Turn to someone and tell them. You NEED God’s Grace!

I’m so grateful that we serve a King who gave His life for us!

To be sure, Jesus was a Different Kind of King!

Help me out for a moment: Name some powerful kings who impacted the world.

Alexander the Great,

Caesar Augustus,

Attila the Hun,

Genghis Khan,

Ivan the Terrible,

Adolf Hitler.

All these men were powerful and impacted the world by conquering others. The more power they attained, the more ruthless they became.

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

That was written by Lord Acton in a letter to Bishop Mandell in 1887. Listen to the rest of what he wrote.

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” [1]

But Jesus was A Different Kind of King.

Rather than announce His arrival with trumpets, Jesus often asked people to keep his arrival on the down-low.

As His reputation grew, His humility and compassion overflowed.

Jesus was A Different Kind of King, and today we will continue to be awed by His compassion and justice.

CATCH THE CONTEXT

Last week we ended with Jesus having “The Sabbath Showdown” with religious leaders who said Jesus was breaking the Sabbath while Jesus made the crazy claim to be...

LORD OF THE SABBATH - a blasphemous claim, unless it’s true.

And if Jesus is the LORD of the Sabbath, then that means He’s the AUTHOR of the Sabbath, and...

The Author is the Authority.

Matthew 12:9–10 (NIV)

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

Remember, breaking the Sabbath could result in DEATH. These men were ready to get rid of Jesus. So, they set the trap.

The Rabbinical Rules taught that it was not lawful to heal on the Sabbath - except in a life-saving emergency.

Matthew 12:11-12 (NIV)

He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12:13–14 (NIV)

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

And that’s where we pick up today, as we see that Jesus is...

A Different Kind of King.

Matthew 12:15–16 (NIV)

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him.

He healed all who were ill. How many people was THAT?!?

Jesus showed incredible compassion for those who were hurting.

And rather than asking them to shout about His goodness and miracle-working power, Jesus warned them not to tell others about him. This has been referred to in theological circles as “the Messianic secret.” Jesus only revealed who He was to His closest disciples until it was TIME for Him to go to the cross. Right now, it was not time.

If Jesus lived during the days of 24/7 news He would have retreated from the cameras and requests for television interviews. Rather than sitting on a throne and demanding others to bow, Jesus walked among, interacted with, & touched needy people.

This kind of COMPASSIONATE KING had long ago been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, as Matthew notes.

In fact, this is the longest Old Testament quotation in Matthew’s gospel. In context, it first pointed to Israel as Yahweh’s servant to take His message of justice to the nations. But Matthew demonstrates how it ultimately points to Jesus as the Jewish Messiah predicted 700+ years before.

Matthew 12:17–19 (NIV)

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah [Is 42:1-4]: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

He will proclaim justice to the nations. Immediately we see this person’s message have influence over and bring justice to the nations - that includes the Gentile world, not just the Jewish people.

However, this person isn’t leading a parade or blowing a trumpet to cry out his message to crowds in the streets.

Instead, He would speak the truth and proclaim justice.

His ultimate goal is to not quarrel with words, but demonstrate with actions - that he is both gentle & just.

Matthew 12:20–21 (NIV)

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

This predicted person is caring and kind - careful not to break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick that is just about to go out.

People would rather discard and replace bruised reeds or smoldering wicks with fresh, strong reeds & new candles.

But Jesus treats those who are battered & burnt out with gentleness and makes them useful again!

While conquering kings enlist and train the strong in their armies, Jesus enlists the weak & needy to join Him.

Douglass O’Donnell asked a great question: “Have you ever heard of such strange behavior? Would Alexander the Great have allowed bruised reeds and smoldering wicks as soldiers? Would Hitler have allowed his troops to lack rigorous training, discipline, skill, and courage?”[1]

Of course they wouldn’t. But Jesus DID and DOES!

Do you remember picking sides for teams? A couple of kids were chosen as captains and they typically chose the most athletic first. And finally, the last couple of kids were picked, but they often felt like they weren’t really wanted or useful to the team.

Do you feel purposeless, worthless, and unusable?

Jesus is a different kind of king who will make you useful again! In fact, Jesus was known for picking the the last, first.

And then there’s this incredible statement: “In his name the nations will put their hope.”

WHO is that referring to? 2000 years after the ministry of Jesus, people from thousands of tribes & languages put their hope in Jesus!

Matthew 12:22–23 (NIV)

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

Once again, Jesus casts out a demon and restores the life of one of those bruised reeds/smoldering wicks we talked about just a few moments ago.

Son of David is not referring to King David’s physical son. David and his sons lived about 1000 years before this moment. Instead, this phrase refers to the Messiah, who would come from the family tree of King David.

Multiple Old Testament prophecies refer to the Messiah reigning over the throne of David.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The Jewish people knew of this prophecy as evidenced by Jn 7:42 when they ask,

John 7:42 (NIV)

Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

In asking, “Could this be the Son of David?’, the people were really asking, “Is this the long awaited Messiah?”

Matthew 12:24 (NIV)

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

The Pharisees were saying, “The reason he has this authority to drive out demons is because Satan has given him this authority to trick people.”

Matthew 12:25–27 (NIV)

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people [sons = disciples] drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

Your people is literally translated as “sons” - a figurative phrase meaning disciples of Pharisees.

Would disciples of the Pharisees drive out demons because the devil gives them the authority to do so? Certainly not! These exorcists might say that God, not the devil, gave them the authority to drive out demons.

They would likely say, “We’ve never seen ungodly men cast out demons - only the godly whom trust in Yahweh.”

And now Jesus makes that same claim for Himself.

Matthew 12:28–29 (NIV)

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Who is “the strong man”? The devil or other demons.

Who is STRONGER than the strong man, the one who ties of the strong man and takes his stuff?

Of course, it is Jesus! And it is by the demonstrations of the Spirit of God and the authority of Jesus that prove that the kingdom of God has come…on earth. After all, a KINGDOM refers to the King’s Domain, and Jesus is proving that HE - not the demons, HE - not the Pharisees, is large and in charge.

Jesus had healed thousands and cast demons out of who knows how many people. NO ONE in the history of the world had done what Jesus had done!

Matthew 12:30–32 (NIV)

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

You don’t have to be a sworn enemy against Jesus - like the Pharisees were, to be an enemy of Jesus. All you do is choose to not be with Him, to scatter and walk away from Him, rather than follow Him.

NO, you and ‘the big man upstairs’ haven’t worked out a deal where you can do your own thing instead of doing His thing and be okay on judgment day. So...

There’s nothing so good you can do to be made right with God.

There’s nothing so bad you can do to not be made right with God. Have you spoken ugly about Jesus? Yes, you CAN be forgiven! Anyone who seeks forgiveness and from Jesus and repents WILL be forgiven!

A person can speak against Jesus and be forgiven, when you repent.

In fact, a person can be forgiven for all kinds of sins - sexual sin (before marriage, outside of marriage, & homosexual activity), idolatry, theft, drunkenness & drug use, slander, and swindling others. But ALL OF THOSE sins can be fully forgiven!

And the apostle Paul out to know because he wrote this about himself.

1 Timothy 1:13–14 (NIV)

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:15–16 (NIV)

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

IF God can save Paul, God can save ya’ll!

But there is one sin that will not be forgiven - blasphemy against the Spirit - but WHAT is THAT?

Before I attempt to answer this question, you should note that beyond the gospel writings, there is NO MENTION of “blasphemy of the Spirit”, not by Peter, Paul, James, Jude, nor Dr. Luke - in the writing we call ACTS.

I HAVE listed all the Greek uses of the Greek term typically translated as blasphemy in the New Testament in the Visual Notes (and can get you a copy if you email me or ask).

Yet NOT ONE of these passages beyond the Gospels refer to blasphemy of the Spirit

- nor remind the reader of it being an unforgivable sin.

See the article I wrote called “Guilty of the Unforgivable Sin?” in the link in visual notes or take a picture of the QR Code to read it): https://bit.ly/3P4qVuu

I have a question - If blasphemy of the Spirit is such a dangerous thing to do - and unforgivable once it is…why NO MENTION of it in Acts-Revelation?

That’s WHY we need to consider what JESUS means be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Thankfully, in context, it’s not a mystery as Matthew has just mentioned the Pharisees saying Jesus performed his miracles by the power of the devil.

It’s in THIS CONTEXT that Jesus speaks of blasphemy against the Spirit - the unforgivable sin.

According to Jesus, blasphemy against the Spirit is what happened when a person saw His miracles and STILL claimed that He was empowered by Satan rather than empowered by the Holy Spirit.

They have the Messiah in their midst. They have PROOF of His claims in His many miracles, yet they attribute these powers to Satan instead of the Spirit.

We - you & me - never had the privilege of watching Jesus do miracles and hearing Him teach.

Yet, all my life I have heard that blasphemy of the Spirit is rejecting the conviction of the Spirit to trust Jesus and turn from sin. But if so, I have a question - CAN THAT PERSON BE FORGIVEN? According to Jesus, blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven! NOPE.

Since they were - despite the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work - convinced that Jesus is an agent of Satan, they would never seek Him for forgiveness.

As we have seen before in this writing, Jesus is holding that generation - the ones who saw Him and heard Him - more accountable than ANY OTHER.

So it seems that the blasphemy against the Spirit that Jesus spoke of could only be committed by people who SAW Jesus perform miracles & still chose to attribute those works to Satan instead of to the Holy Spirit.

THAT sin could never be forgiven.

NT Wright says it well: “Once you declare that the spring of fresh water is in fact polluted, you will never drink from it.” [2]

So what’s that MEAN for you and me?

I submit YOU could never commit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit like Jesus talked about. Therefore, NOTHING you have done is UNFORGIVABLE.

BIG TRUTH: If you’re still breathing, there’s still HOPE.

Jesus is a different Kind of King, a King who came to give His life as a ransom for you and me; a king in whom we are told...

Matthew 12:20–21 (NIV)

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Turn & Trust while you still have time. The Holy Spirit IS still at work today. He is the One who deals with your soul. The Spirit convicts us of our sin and our need for a Savior.

So while it is my understanding that you cannot commit blasphemy against the Spirit or another sin that is unforgivable, that doesn’t mean you get a free pass to heaven.

At a young age, I remember the deep conviction in me - that I had sinned and needed a Savior - at that was Jesus. I bowed my heart, gave Him my life, & have attempted to follow Him ever since.

Just like me, you have sinned and need to be forgiven.

And if you are NOT FORGIVEN, you are held accountable for your sin by our HOLY GOD.

If you’re still breathing, there’s still HOPE! but there is NO forgiveness without repentance

Has the Holy Spirit shown you how wicked your sin is? Will you stop making excuses for your sin give it up? What will you do with that?

In his name the nations will put their hope. Is Jesus where you put your hope?

PRAY

_____________

Jennifer Speake and John Simpson, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), p. 255.

Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 324.

Tom Wright, Luke for Everyone (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 150.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching?

Read Matthew 12:17-21 as Matthew quotes from Isaiah 42:1-4 (written 700 years before the ministry of Jesus). Discuss what this says about Jesus and how He fulfills this prophecy of the Messiah.

Read Matthew 12:22-29. Who do the people think Jesus could be (what does “Son of David” mean)? Why do the Pharisees think Jesus has been given power by the devil and how does Jesus counter that claim?

Read Matthew 12:30-32. How would you answer the person who says, “I’m not a Christian, but I’m not an enemy of Jesus.” What would you say to the person who says, “I have misused the name of Jesus and treated the name of Jesus with hate & dishonor. Jesus can’t forgive me after how I’ve treated him.”?

While many think that rejecting the gospel message even once could be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, how do we know this is not the case? Read Luke 12:10, Matthew 12:24, 31, and Mark 3:28–30. Why is the context so important to get the intention of what Jesus meant by blasphemy of the Spirit? (Consider looking up the passages listed using the Greek word for blasphemy and discuss why Peter, Paul, Dr. Luke, and others don’t refer to blasphemy of the Spirit in their writings.)

Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 1 Timothy 1:13-16. Based on these passages, what sins can be forgiven by God? Who do you know who has greatly sinned, who needs to be reminded that they haven’t gone too far….yet?

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? What does God want YOU to do with what we studied today?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.