1. Turning Point: Jesus Rejected in Galilee
Lesson 4.1
Matthew 12:22-45

2. Overview Jesus’ message had divided His audience.
His disciples were firmly committed, and many were following him.
The religious leaders were ready to reject him.
The Pharisees, by rejecting Jesus, caused a turning point in Jesus’ ministry.
Israel as a nation turned away from Jesus.
So Jesus rejected them and moved on to build a new people out of his followers.

3. The Messianic Miracle Exorcisms weren’t uncommon in Jesus’ time.
Jesus cast out many demons, but the Pharisees had the ability to cast them out as well.
They had a 3 step process:
1.Establish communication with the demon.
2.Ask the demon for its name.
3.Address it by name to cast it out.

4. The Messianic Miracle
If a demon caused a person to be unable to speak, the Pharisees couldn’t cast it out.
They taught that only the Messiah could cast out that kind of demon.
This was the type of demon that came to Jesus on this day.
Jesus cast it out, thus proving himself to be the Messiah by the Pharisees’ very own teachings!
However, the Pharisees refused to admit it, and attributed Jesus’ works to the power of Satan.
Known as “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.”

5. Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?
The Pharisees came up with a perfect way to never have to believe the words or deeds of Jesus.
They could just say that Jesus got his power from Satan instead of the Holy Spirit for every miracle.
Jesus immediately began to argue against this, not to prove himself, but to spare the Pharisees from the consequences of their mistake!
He was giving them a chance to repent.

6. Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?
Matthew 12:32 is one of the most controversial verses in the entire Bible. Why?
It seems to argue that there is an “unforgivable” sin that Jesus’ blood can’t cover. Is it really saying this though?
The story of Jonah helps us understand what Jesus is saying in verse 32.
Jonah said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4)
He didn’t add “unless you repent,” but he didn’t need to. It was implied.
In the same way, Jesus was implying that this sin was unforgivable unless the Pharisees repented.
The announcement of judgment is a call to repent**.
Examples: Romans 5:20; the conversion of Saul (“Paul”).