Matthew 12:22-32
22Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. 23All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” 25He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 29Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. 30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Whoever 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.”
Prayer:
Help me understand, God. Already in my life, I have walked deep in your forgiveness. I have lived out failure upon failure and it has been answered with grace upon grace. And yet, this text indicates that there is an unpardonable sin. I think I get it though. All of the talk before about a kingdom or house divided against itself is a hint. Your Holy Spirit is within and around me always, and to speak against that Spirit is also to speak against your existence within me. No child of God divided against his/her/their self can stand. Help me, O God, to live an undivided life and to know that your Spirit leads me into wholeness. May it be so. Amen.
Written by Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman (she/her), Campus Minister
Ekklesia at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.
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