Slandering God P1

Slandering God P1 Matthew 12:22-37

Have I committed the unpardonable sin? Thats a really common question asked most often by the unbeliever. Have I blasphemed against the Holy Spirit? Some will even try to do it on purpose to show their contempt for “god”.

Another question from this text, Can I not criticize those who claim to exorcise demons or heal but are obviously fake? Whats the big deal about the Son of David thing? In the following section of scripture, we will Lord willing get some answers and see more when we cover part 2. For now, lets go through our text a few verses at a time.

The setting, Jesus has spoken before and said he was the Lord of the Sabbath, he healed on the Sabbath and bucked generations of tradition when He said, its lawful to do good on the sabbath.

This marked when the leaders began their plotting to murder Him. He got out of town and still, folks flocked to him, Matthew by the Holy Spirit confirmed, even this fulfilled prophecy of him. Jesus, the Word, the Light, will bring such salvation that even the Gentiles would trust.

Matthew 12:22–23 “ Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?””

Demon possessed, blind and mute. Imagine the terror. overcome by a malevolent intelligence when you couldn’t cry out, you couldn't see where it was driving you to. Was the man made mute and blind by the demon or was he already isnt stated here, the blind man is not mentioned in Mark, in Luke 11:14-23 we see the blind man mentioned. However, in all three the beelzebub mentioned.

There are two things to note about blind/mute. Notice even Jesus converses with the spirits in these folks (not always but sometime) one even called itself Legion for many were in the person. Many pharisees and scribes believed that a person, to be free from the demons had to confess Scripture and be able to read it. At least this guy could hear :)

The note of blind and mute is also an historic note. Also, he goes from Blind and must to spoke and saw.

Now, there is nothing “wrong” with the healing here, not on shabbat, not in the temple. its what the people, the multitudes say, “Could this be?”

The rabbis, even the Pharisees said that the Son of David, was the Annointed One, (Messiah, Christ)

in Matthew 9:27 “ When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”” Paul says twice that Jesus as the “seed of david” (Rom 1:3; 2Tim 1:3).

It would become a stopping point, another thing for the leaders to trip over - turn: John 7:40–44 “ Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” back to Matt

Turn Matt 22. The import of Him being the Son is because, the messiah, when read in the light of our Christ - is Yahweh, is Jehovah, Matthew 22:41–46 “ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’? 45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.”

Adonai said to Adonai. Yahweh said to Yahweh. God was called and the caller. The Lord, gave to the Lord. Just amazing.

This prompts:

Matthew 12:24 “ Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler (prince) of the demons.””

Where there are multitudes and Jesus, there are the pharisees there to rebuke, to slander and dismiss whats going on. They stand against the Word of God.

Their illogical accusation Jesus can only cast out demons because He is working for the boss of demons. Beelzebub they call Him (a Philistine deity) because it wasn't just Paul that taught that all other Gods are false (some from the minds of men, some demonic entities allowing worship of their desires).

The mention of Him in Matt/Mark/Luke, makes me think he was very active in the attack on the Christ and His kingdom.

Was this Prince Satan? Was his name, beezelbub? Dunno. But I know it could not stop what was happening. The Kingdom, was come.

Jesus’ response has to rock them on their heels.

Matthew 12:25 “ But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

Here, Jesus knows whats scratching around in their brain, lol.

Notice, Jesus doesnt “believe” that demons are real. He knows beyond the shadow of doubt. He doesnt argue them away. (also note, he doesn't use the name Beelzebub, He says)

Matthew 12:26–28 “ If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The same God that others try, Jesus does, here he lays out that Satans activity (which seems all time high) would be damaged more by some weird civil war.

The fact is that Jesus is without failure, casting them out. His record tells them, that the kingdom is truly there. And Jesus, isn’t playing. 1 John 3:8 “ He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” he breaks their claim that he’s working both sides.

If you are living in sin, who's side are you serving? Love your Lord, submit to Him, watch Him break the hold of satan in your life.

Matthew 12:29–30 “ Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

Jesus shows His power in the casting out of Demons. He has the authority not because he is part of satans kingdom, but because He is God come in the flesh. He is more powerful than any being that has ever been.

If you are against Him, after seeing who He is, what He can do, you are scattering. This includes how we live.

In closing: Yea, there are people that fake being possessed or “oppressed” by the devil. But there really are people, being possessed or opressed. If we truly live out and walk in our faith, we’ll be able to minister and help in a real and legitimate way.

Real because you worship the one who has the authority, who has the right, who has through faith in Jesus Christ, the right be called a child of God. We see Christ ministering to the Pharisees by his interaction with them. He is awlays trying to teach.

What do I need to do or learn in this? There are many with real hurts. Both natural and supernatural. And you and I cannot heal them, only He can. Lets introduce everyone we meet, to Jesus. There is no terror he cannot defeat. There is no thing that can stand before Him. Isaiah 45:23 “ I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.”