Jesus Said
Beware of fakes!
Today’s Reading
About This Plan
This plan is not designed to be read alone, but studied and discussed with other believers.
If you fall behind, don't worry about it. Catch up as much as possible, or just start fresh on a new day. It's more important to enjoy reading than to check off a to-do list. The plan is scheduled Monday through Friday to give two days of extra reading or to catch up on missed days. There are also additional reading and study options for the weekend.
This yearly plan will take you through the New Testament twice a year, and the Old Testament once a year. It's also divided into sections for those with different reading goals. Families might read Jesus Said and the Gospel sections together. If you are just getting started and seem overwhelmed, try as much as you can, but it's okay to only read one or two sections to start with.
Mathew 12:31 “Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven. Except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the son of man will be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven in this world or the world to come.”
A little confusing to me? Just the Holy Spirit? What about God and the son of God, Jesus. When it says the Holy Spirit, is that saying the “Trinity? I feel like I should know that.
That’s a really good question and many people are confused by that scripture and concept. The way I understand it is the Holy Spirit is the literal presence of God in the physical world. As such, the Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation and transformation for those who believe in Jesus. In John 3, Jesus speaks of being born again as being born of the Spirit. In John 16:8 Jesus says the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin. A few verses later, verse 13, Jesus says the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
What happened before Jesus talked about blaspheme is important. The Pharisees knew Jesus wasn’t healing by the devil’s power, but they loved their hypocrisy more than the truth. The actual definition of the Greek word translated blaspheme is: slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name. So the Pharisees were willfully slandering the working of the Holy Spirit. That kind of ongoing, relentless willful denial of the truth is what Jesus was talking about. It’s not a casual thing that someone can do. It’s obstinate rejection and slander of the Holy Spirit’s power, conviction and truth.
And since the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father in the name of the Son, rejecting the truth that the Holy Spirit reveals is rejecting the Father and Son as well. But the Holy Spirit is the presence of God with us now. If you reject and slander the very power, conviction and truth that is given for our salvation and transformation, how could you receive forgiveness?
Hope that helps!