How is it that healing can bring dissension? If one has the power to heal, or pray, or teach, or serve, or love others well, are we thankful? Do we encourage these fruits of the Spirit of Jesus in and among us? Or do they at times cause dissension, envy, or jealousy, or worse? The Scripture today illuminates this juxtaposition between Jesus and the Pharisees.
Matthew 12.22-32
22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Who was the “bruised reed” [Matthew 12:20] brought to Jesus in verse 22?
+ What does Jesus do for him? [verse 22]
+ How does this man’s encounter with Jesus change him? [verse 22]
+ Who witnessed this healing?
+ How did the people respond? [verse 23]
+ What is significant about the name the people gave Jesus? [verse 23]
+ How did the Pharisees respond? [verse 24]
+ What is Jesus’s three-fold response to the Pharisee’s accusation?
+ Part 1 - Verses 25-26
+ Part 2 - Verse 27
+ Part 3 - Verse 29
+ In verse 28 Jesus uses an if/then statement. If the demons were cast out by the Spirit of God, what is he telling the Pharisees has come?
+ What is Jesus calling the people and the Pharisees to do in verse 30?
+ How do we individually have to make a similar choice as we respond to Jesus’s miracles?
+ What choices are given according to verse 30? What image does he use to reinforce His teaching?
+ Verses 31 and 32 talk about specific sins of blasphemy. What is the definition of this word?
+ Who had been blaspheming against Jesus or the Son of Man? [verse 24]
+ According to Jesus in verse 32, will this be forgiven?
+ What appears to be an unforgivable sin in verse 31 and 32?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How do I respond to Jesus’s healing and miracles?
+ Do I attempt to explain them away, throw stones, or revel in His goodness?
+ How do I respond to the Holy Spirit’s power demonstrated in Jesus? In others?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?