"The Unpardonable Sin" 

The event in chapter 12 and 13 apparently took place on one crucial day in our Lord's ministry. We have seen the rebellion against the King getting more and more fierce. The Pharisees have rejected His messenger, John the Baptist (11: 1-19), and have not repented, even though he has done mighty works (11: 20-30). Now they argue with Christ concerning His principles ( the Sabbath question). This chapter is filled with conflict.


CONFLICT OVER THE SABBATH:
THEIR ACCUSATION (1-2) THE SABBATH WAS DEAR TO THE JEWS, since it was God's special covenant sign to the nation (Ex. 31:12-17). The Jews had turned this day of spiritual blessing and joy into a day of observance; and the rules of the Pharisees made the Sabbath a burden, not a blessing. Keep in mind that the Sabbath was NEVER given to the Church. Our covenant day is the first day.


Christ's answer ( 3-8) -- Jesus used the Word to answer His enemies. He refers them to DAVID ( 1 Sam. 21: 1) who hungered on the Sabbath and ate the sacred shewbread from the tabernacle. At that time, David was a rejected king, just as Jesus was. Christ also refers to THE LAW (Num. 28: 9-10 ) which permitted the priests to labor on the Sabbath and offer sacrifices. Finally, He quotes from the PROPHETS (Hos. 6: 6) to show that God is more interested in the heart than empty outward observances. Christ boldly states that He, not the Pharisees, is the Lord of the Sabbath, which was another way of claiming to be God, since god had ordained the Sabbath.


Their second accusation (9-21). The Pharisees had made the "no work" rule so strict that they even claimed it was a sin to heal on the Sabbath! Jesus uses plain logic to show that their regulations were wrong. They helped their cattle on the Sabbath day; is not a man worth more than a sheep? Jesus was affirming the value of the human soul to God. Verse 14 relates the beginning of the plan of the Pharisees to destroy Jesus. How did Christ respond? He merely withdrew Himself. This fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Isa. 42:1-3) describing the ministry of the Messiah. He would not argue with His enemies (verse 19) nor would He bring judgment upon them (verse 20)


CONFLICT OVER SATAN: 12: 22-27


The Pharisees, like worldly people today, are always looking for something to criticize. Instead of rejoicing over the healing of the man, they accuse Christ of being in the same league with Satan. Christ points out that this argument is not logical, since it would mean Satan is fighting against himself! Even unbelieving Jews were able to cast out demons (verse 27) and see (Acts 19:13); Christ's final argument (verse 29) is that He could never cast out demons unless first He had overcome their leader, Satan, which He did in chapter 4. This led to the awful statement about the unpardonable sin. Keep these thing in mind when you consider the unpardonable sin:


(1). It is a sin of the heart, not the lips (34-35). The words from the lips are the evidence of the condition of the heart; and evil words indicate an evil heart.
(2). It is a sin committed in the light of great evidence. These men had seen Christ's miracles and yet hardened their hearts against Him.
(3). It is the sin of willful, persistent unbelief and final rejection of Jesus Christ. Adultery is not unpardonable (John 8: 1-11), nor is murder (see Paul in Acts 9). But when a person persists in rejecting Christ and comes to the place where his heart is so calloused he had no concern for his eternal destiny, then it is too late.


Notice that Jesus is preaching John the Baptist's message here (see 3: 7). He calls the Pharisees "generation of vipers" because they were children of that old serpent, the Devil (see 23: 33). They had a form of godliness, but they did not know God. Like Satan, they were imitators of the true godliness (2 Cor. 11:13-15)


CONFLICTS OVER SIGNS: 12: 38-50


Christ had performed many miracles, yet they asked for a sign; (John 12:35-43). Christ promised only one sign: His death, burial, and resurrection, as pictured by Jonah. Keep in mind that Jonah was a messenger to THE GENTILES, another indication that Israel would reject Christ. How is Christ "greater than Jonah" (verse 41)? He is greater in His person, since Jonah was but a man. He is greater in His dedication, since Jonah disobeyed God. He is greater in His message, since He preached salvation and not coming judgment.


Christ refers to another Gentile -- The Queen of Sheba (see 1 Kings 10) who came a long way to hear Solomon's wisdom; yet the Jews at that time would not listen to the wisdom of Christ, a greater than Solomon. The parable in 43-45 might be termed "reformation without regeneration." The Jews came back from captivity purged from their OT sin of idolatry. The "house" had been swept clean, but it was still empty. They had religion and outward morality, but their hearts were empty and their religion was empty. Satan was able to re-enter the house with other sins, and the latter end of the nation was worse than the first. In the OT, the Jews worshiped idols; but in the Gospels they killed their own Messiah.


This same thing happens to individuals. How easy it is for a man to "reform" his life, join a church, and live respectably, without Jesus Christ dwelling in his heart. This "false righteousness" will last only for a time; then Satan will get hold of that empty life and ruin it. Religion means cleaning up the outside; salvation means new life and holiness on the inside.


At the end of chapter 11, Jesus offers an invitation to "all who are weary and heavy laden." Here (Matt. 12:46-50) He uses that wonderful word "whosoever." He is breaking all natural ties. The nation has rebelled against His message and His ministry. Now He speaks of a world-wide family of God to "whosoever" will do the will of God.