Matthew 12:22-37

Jesus and Beelzebub

The Pharisees witnessed Christ healing a demon-possessed man and felt that it was due to the prince of demons that Jesus was able to drive the demons out...

1. Review vs 24
-Who or what is Beelzebub?
-Why would the Pharisees allege that the devil gave Jesus authority to cast out demons?

2. In verses 25-30, Jesus questioned why someone who controls a kingdom would support someone else dividing it? He then presented an example of a strong man that has control over his home- the only way that the house would be burglarized, would be if the strong man was tied up.
-Is the world divided into God's Kingdom and the Devil's Kingdom? Why would the devil support someone dividing his kingdom?
-Who is the strong man in this example?
-If Jesus is casting out demons, what has he done to the strong man?

3. Review vs 30
-Who is being "gathered" or "scattered" in Jesus' statement?
-Are you a "gatherer" or a "scatterer?"

4. In verses 31- 33, Jesus discussed blaspheming the Holy Spirit and it being an unforgivable sin. Let's take a few moments and discuss this...

A. What is blaspheming?
-How were the Pharisees blaspheming against the Holy Spirit?

B. As a group, read: 1 John 1: 9
-Does this verse somehow contrast what Jesus is saying?

C. Why would blaspheming against the Holy Spirit be unforgivable?
-When a person sees clear evidence provided by the Holy Spirit, (in this case a real miracle,) yet is so against it that he rejects it, is he blaspheming the Holy Spirit?
-Is it unforgivable, because the person who would blatantly say these things would also not seek forgiveness?

5. In verses 33-38, Jesus explained that a fruit tree can be seen as alive and healthy by the fruit it bears. He used this example to illustrate that someone who has a sinful heart will yield fruit in the same manner.
-Do you think this is valid?
-Can your actions and words give a reasonable image of what your heart looks like?
-If someone was to inspect the "fruit" of your life, what would they say? What comes from the overflow of your heart?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge
Matthew 12: 22-37