Seeds for 08/28/2023 - Matthew 12:30-32
Scripture: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Observation: Remember the context. Jesus’ disciples plucked heads of grain in the field to eat on the Sabbath. Jesus healed a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Jesus healed a demon-possessed man. For this, Jesus was criticized, plotted against, and accused of being in league with the prince of demons. Here, He’s continuing to rebut the Pharisees’ illogic and He’s responding to their opposition.
I want to do a caveat about context today as we learn to become better and better readers of scripture.
It’s important to review because we’re tempted to take biblical verses out of context then pontificate ignorantly. This is an excellent example because we also have Jesus on record in Mark’s Gospel uttering the exact opposite expression: “for whoever is not against us is for us.” What’s going on here?
You guessed it—the context is different. Two phrases that couldn’t be more perfectly opposite. Yet they are not contradictory because Jesus is speaking within a particular set of circumstances that differs in each case.
As New Testament scholar Ben Witherington says, “A text without a context is a pretext for whatever you want it to mean.”
“Whoever is not with me is against me.” Who are the “whoever” in the context—the story up to this point? It’s the Pharisees, those who oppose Jesus at every turn. Their wide range of responses suggest that this has become more personal than principled. They’ve decided Jesus is dangerous, so they are against Him. Whatever He’s for, they are against. Like hyper-partisans who support a political stance or oppose it due to who its friends and enemies are rather than based on principles. They are now against Him, not just the choices He makes or the ideas He promotes.
Into this context, Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” That’s the reality in Matthew’s story right now and Jesus calls them out about it.
So, of everything that one could glean from these verses, today I take away: first, to avoid approaching life like this group of Pharisees. Be principled rather than personal. Don’t approve or disapprove of some idea or action simply based on whether or not I like the person doing or promoting it. This can be easier said than done and I am as susceptible to it as anyone. Second, remember to read bible verses in context. Beware speculating on their meaning without grounding them strongly in the whole passage from which they arise. Otherwise, we can end up in some odd belief cul-de-sacs and misunderstanding the Word of Truth.
Application:
When have you be tempted to judge actions or ideas based more on a positive or negative view of the person saying or doing them? What helps you correct
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, as I read and meditate on your Word, sharpen my mind, that I may read it well and follow Jesus faithfully. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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