QT 13 Apr 17, Matt 12:22-25a, 31-32, The unpardonable sin

Matthew 12:22–32 (ESV) — 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, . . .  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.

NOTE: I know that some believe the blasphemy of the spirit is the rejection of Christ or unbelief. The argument is that Jesus died for all the world sins, therefore the only thing that can send a person to Hell is unbelief in the savior. Those statements are true, but that does not make unbelief the unpardonable sin, since you can choose to not believe all the way up to the door of death and then believe, thereby saving yourself (and being forgiven for your unbelief). Rather this  passage better explains blasphemy of the spirit. It is unique and a one-time occurrence. The introductory miracle is really a double Messianic miracle (if the man was also born blind) and is something that only the Messiah could do. That is why the people are amazed and ask their leaders if this is the Messiah ("son of David" being a euphemism). The Pharisees have already come to a conclusion, having first seen Jesus heal a leper (another of the three Messianic miracles) whether Jesus is the Messiah. They probably came to their conclusion shortly after Jesus "forgave the sin" of the paralytic ("a claim to be God" or blasphemy). Now, having the son of God standing in their presence, on the literal land of Israel, having seen his life and undeniable messianic miracles, the leaders commit the unpardonable sin, they call the holy and perfect God, Beelzebul, the prince of demons, the lord of the dunghill, the lord of the flies. Which is why from this point forward, Jesus refers this generation as "this generation" who were visited by God, and called God, Satan. The nation has rejected their Messiah and their God. Individuals are still saved from this point forward, but God rejects Israel (for a time, a time which we refer to as the church age). God is not finished with Israel yet, but they committed the unpardonable sin, the rejection of God despite having his earthly appearance standing before them.