What Jesus Did! 'Ultimate Blasphemy' — Matthew 12:31-32

As the opposition to Jesus' ministry has risen with every one of his compassionate deeds, his opponents repeatedly reveal themselves to be preservers of the status quo, not seekers of truth. But in this episode, not only are truth and repentance at an impasse; they even pass each other going opposite directions. Jesus' opponents are now attributing his work to demons (Matthew 12:24) while Jesus, quoting the prophetic witness about his ministry, emphasizes that he does the work he does because he is full of God's Spirit and is fulfilling God's plan (Matthew 12:17-21). To attribute the Spirit's work through Jesus to the power of demons is ultimate blasphemy. It blasphemes God who promised the Messiah would come in the power of the Spirit. It blasphemes the prophets who spoke with the authority and the voice of God about this ministry. It blasphemes Jesus because it associates his work with Satan. Finally, and ultimately, it blasphemes the Holy Spirit because, in the blasphemy, the Spirit's work in Jesus' ministry is called Satan's work. As long as people can see Jesus' work and attribute it to evil and demons, then there is no hope or forgiveness available.