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Arthur Pigdon Seeds of the Spirit (2001) |
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Immediately after the remarkable experience of the transfiguration Jesus came down the mountain to find a crowd gathered and his disciples unsuccessfully trying to cast an unclean spirit out of a boy. Jesus, for once, seemed to show impatience, saying, 'How long shall I put up with you?' He commanded the dumb spirit to come out of the boy and he was healed. The disciples then asked, 'Why couldn't we drive it out?' In Matthew's account of this incident he records that Jesus replied, 'Because you have so little faith.' (Matthew 17:20) Mark's comment tells us how this faith is to be obtained--by prayer. (Some manuscripts have the word 'fasting' also.) Jesus did not pray for the boy, he merely commanded the spirit to come out of him. He rarely, if ever, prayed for people to be healed. He simply gave a command. So Jesus here must be referring to prior prayer, a life of prayer and dependence on God. He had just spent the night in prayer on the mount of transfiguration. Power flows from God and our faith releases it. Nobody has the gift of healing. God heals and gives gifts of healings and each new healing is a gift from a compassionate Heavenly Father. |
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An incident recorded in Mark 10:35-44 also deals with greatness and covers the subject more fully. James and John, two of Jesus' leading disciples, wanted to sit on Jesus' right and left in his coming kingdom. In our society, those who are in positions of status, wealth or authority are considered great. Jesus teaches us that none of these things bring greatness. Greatness consists in what a person is, whether it is recognised or not, and greatness is measured by giving and serving, not by getting and being served. When we come to John 13 we will see how Jesus dramatically taught this lesson by washing the disciples' feet, the lowliest of tasks, performed only by servants. We are reminded of the Old Testament passages that portray the Messiah as a suffering servant. Jesus set the standard for all his disciples, saying, 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' (Mark 10:45) We, as Christians, should not seek fame, status, wealth or praise, but rather have an ambition to give glory to God in all things and to serve God by ministering to human need. |
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Jesus often used language that overemphasised the point so excessively that he never intended it to be taken literally. He had just suggested tying a heavy millstone around a person's neck to drown them. He spoke of a camel going through the eye of a needle. Here he is not suggesting that we actually cut off our hand or foot or pluck out our eye. He is warning us to be careful of what our hands do, of where our feet take us, and what we look at with our eyes. This involves self-discipline. It is better to forego things we would like to do, places we would like to go and things we would like to see if doing, going and seeing these things would lead us away from God and cause us to lose a place in his eternal kingdom. The word translated 'hell' here is the Greek word Gehenna, which literally means 'the Valley of Hinnom'. This was a deep valley outside the walls of Jerusalem that became the city rubbish dump. Worms destroyed the rubbish below ground and fires destroyed it above ground. Verse 48 is a typical Jewish expression first used by Isaiah. (66:24) It symbolises death and destruction, not eternal torment. |
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We discussed Matthew's account of this incident on 4 July and commented there on the issue of divorce. Today we look at the ideal of oneness in marriage. Marriage is for the purpose of reproduction and neither partner is capable of this by themselves. Jesus says that in marriage a man and a woman literally become one flesh. In their union they act as a single organism and they need to stay together to bring their offspring to maturity. Parenting is a very demanding and responsible role that a mother is not equipped to undertake on her own. She and the children need the constant support that only a husband and father can give. God's intention is that a husband and wife should not only be one flesh, but also be one in spirit, living and working together in harmony to fulfil their God-given mission. Neither should dominate the other. Paul discusses their relationship in Ephesians 5:21-33 and he places the responsibility for love within the marriage on the husband. Wives do not find it hard to allow husbands to take a leadership role when they feel that they are truly loved. It is unlikely that in such a marriage divorce will ever be considered. |
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Jesus said quite a lot about money and possessions. It is a very important part of everybody's life. Paul reminded us that it was not money, but the love of money, which was the root of all evil. Moses commanded that we should neither steal nor covet. It is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God because it is a kingdom where love is the guiding principle and love always shares and gives and cannot bear to see others in need if one has the power to help them. When the Holy Spirit came to the early church the first effect was that those who had wealth or property shared it with those who were impoverished so that there was an equality. Capitalism does not fit well with the teaching of Jesus because it is competitive instead of co-operative. But socialism, without a Christian commitment to work, lacks incentive and fails also. Communism says, 'You have riches and I will take them so that we may be equal.' Christianity says, 'I have been blessed and I will share my wealth with you so that there will be equality.' Unbelievers say, 'My wealth is my own, I will spend it on myself.' Wealth is not an opportunity for indulgence, it is an opportunity to exercise responsible stewardship. |
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This is an astonishing statement. Can we take it literally? I think we can because the key phrase is 'does not doubt in his heart'. It would be humanly impossible to pray to move a mountain without having some doubt that it would happen. Our problem is finding that kind of absolute faith. In some Christian circles it is customary to 'claim' an answer but the claimed answer does not always follow. Is it right to get legalistic with God and say that he must do what we ask because we think we have enough faith? We try to summon up enough faith to get what we want but the condition is 'believe that you have received it, and it will be yours'. God, who alone truly knows the heart, knows if we are believing without doubting. Jesus had that faith because he knew God and his power in a way we cannot. We are always aware of our human limitations. It would be most unwise to allow human beings to have the power to literally move mountains, change the weather, or get anything their heart desired merely by following some formula. Let us be content to tell God our needs and leave the issue with him. |
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The Jewish sect of the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. They came to Jesus and tried to trap him by presenting a hypothetical case of a woman who was married seven times, and asked which husband she would have in the future life. Jesus told them bluntly, 'You are badly mistaken!' and he cited the word of God to Moses in our text to show that Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were still alive in the spiritual realm. God does not reign over the dead but the living constitute the kingdom of God. Our after-death state is different from our present fleshly state. Jesus told the Sadducees, 'When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.' Since there is no marriage in the future life there will be no children born, nor will there be any more death. In that spirit state we will apparently be sexless. Do we then wonder what we will do with ourselves in heaven? We are told very little, but we are assured that there will be no more suffering or tears. The important truth here is that there is a superior future life beyond the grave and a place in Christ's kingdom for all who accept Jesus' offer of eternal life. |
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All Christians contribute towards the support of the church and other Christian organisations. In the Old Testament God made it obligatory that the priestly tribe of Levi should be supported by ten percent of the income of the other eleven tribes. Jesus made no such requirement. But in his three-year ministry he accepted the gifts of the people to support him and his twelve disciples. In Luke 22:35-36 Jesus refers to this financial support then advises them to use their own resources also in their future ministry. 'How much should I contribute to the work of the church?' is a question we often ask ourselves. A tenth of our income is not obligatory under the new covenant but it is proportionate and within the capacity of most Christians. There are times when it may be too much or, conversely, too little. The guiding principle is the measure of sacrifice involved and what we have left after we have given. The needs of the family must take priority over the needs of the church. It is not the size of the gift that matters. The widow's gift was tiny but Jesus saw it as of more value than the large gifts of the rich who had plenty left. We deal more fully with giving in 2 Corinthians. |
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The first part of this reading is an answer to the disciples' question about the destruction of the temple, which took place in 70 AD, but the latter part applies to their request for a sign of the end of the age. (See Matthew 24:3.) The event our text describes is commonly called the second coming of Christ--or the rapture. This will follow a time of great trouble on earth. This time will also be preceded by signs in the heavens, the sun and moon will be darkened and the stars will be affected. Notice that this event is worldwide--the elect will be gathered from the four winds and from the ends of the earth. The elect here refers to the Christian community, those who love God and are true disciples of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ on whom they depend for salvation. In John 14:3 Jesus speaks of preparing a place for his disciples and in John 17:24 he states his desire for them to be with him to behold his glory. Jesus does not give us details of this event but Paul does in his letters. Jesus' main concern is that people should be ready for his return and a number of his parables point out the need to live in such a way that we are ready for whenever he may come. (See verses 32-36.) |
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This is a quotation from Psalm 22:1, but there is no doubt that Jesus used it to express his feelings as he hung on the cross. Throughout the whole of his ministry he had enjoyed a perfect intimacy and closeness with his Father. He was always aware of his Father's power, presence and approval in his teaching and healing. It was only at Gethsemane that he began to feel his aloneness. One would think that he needed a sense of God's presence more on the cross than anywhere else. Why then was this denied to him? It has been suggested that it was the price he paid in bearing our sins. Sin separates from God and brings death. On the cross he experienced that separation from God and the reality of death. But we must remember that Jesus had a human side. He loved the world and he loved God's covenant people, Israel. The cross was the evidence of their rejection. He had been betrayed, tried like a criminal, mocked by the soldiers and hated by the religious leaders. He had to bear the cross cut off from God and man--forsaken even by his own disciples. We also will have times when it seems that God has forsaken us but it is only our faith and feelings that have gone, not God. |
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Towards the last days of his ministry Jesus had repeatedly tried to impress on his disciples that he would rise again but such an idea was so foreign to their experience that they did not take him literally. The women came to the tomb just after sunrise with their embalming spices. They found the tomb open and an angel, in the appearance of a young man, sitting in the tomb, but the body of Jesus was gone. The angel said simply 'He has risen,' and told them to instruct the disciples, specially mentioning Peter, to go to Galilee where they would find him. It is no wonder the women fled trembling and astonished. Other gospels add that the tomb had been sealed. A guard of soldiers had been set to prevent the body being stolen and an earthquake had shaken the area. When the disciples heard the women's report they ran to the tomb to see for themselves. Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Some of the accounts differ in their details but it was an amazing morning of discovery. The incredible truth that Jesus was still alive, even though he had been dead, was to transform their lives and the lives of all who believe. It was the greatest discovery ever made, surpassing all the discoveries of modern science. |
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When the angel appeared to Mary and announced that she would have a son whom she was to call Jesus, her question was, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel replied in the words of today's text. This must have stretched Mary's faith to the limit for the angel's reply to her question implied a virgin birth. The angel sought to help her faith by reminding her that her cousin, Elizabeth, had been barren but had conceived after the angel had predicted that she would. He said, 'For nothing is impossible with God.' The whole context of this angelic visit and prediction indicates that a miracle is expected. Despite this, some Christians still find it hard to believe in the virgin birth and try to explain it away. If we cannot believe in miracles we may as well discard our Bibles because if we take the recorded miracles away we have nothing unique left. What did the angel mean by the statement, 'He will be called the Son of the Most High?' What did Jesus mean when he consistently called God his Father? The unique relationship Jesus had with God, his Father, sets him apart from all other men and makes the virgin birth credible. |
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Mary must have been a pure and beautiful young woman for God to have chosen her to be the mother of his son. The gospels do not mention Joseph after the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve, but Mary is often mentioned. She was never far away during Jesus' ministry and she was even present at his crucifixion. Subsequent generations have considered her blessed indeed to have been Jesus' mother. All Christians rightfully honour her for her character and her support of Jesus throughout his life. But some Christians have gone far beyond the scriptures and developed teaching about Mary based on apocryphal gospels and human pronouncements. She is said to have been born without original sin, to have remained a virgin, despite her marriage to Joseph and Biblical references to Jesus' brothers and sisters, and to have been bodily translated to heaven, where she has been glorified and given the role of a mediator with God on behalf of others. In praying to Mary Jesus' role as our only mediator is usurped. (See 1 Timothy 2:5.) There is no foundation for these teachings in the scriptures. Mary should not be given any greater status than she is given in the Bible. |
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This message of the angel to the shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem has echoed around the world and been repeated each Christmas in most of the major languages of earth. It is a message of hope. It is 'good news' that will bring 'great joy' to 'all the people'. The coming of Jesus marked a new stage in God's relationship with humanity. He had previously dealt only with the nation of Israel. Jesus' coming opened the door to all people on earth to enter the kingdom of God. The angel declares Jesus to be 'Christ the Lord'. Christ means one anointed by God for a special ministry. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew 'Messiah'. The special ministry of Jesus was to become a Saviour for all people. He did not come as a social reformer or as a military deliverer but as a redeemer from sin who would reconcile us to God, granting forgiveness of sin to all who believed and received him. Note the significant name the angel gives him, 'Christ the Lord'. The Greek word for Lord is Kurios, which is equivalent to the Hebrew words Yahweh and Adhonay, both being names of God. So this is really an affirmation of the divinity of Jesus (See Acts 2:36.) |
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This is the only glimpse we have of the life of Jesus during his thirty years at Nazareth. It shows us that even at the age of twelve he was aware of who he was and it reveals the advanced state of his spiritual knowledge and wisdom. It was customary for Jews to speak of Abraham as their father but they never referred to God in this way, so here in his first recorded utterance Jesus is claiming a unique personal relationship with God. Verse 52 tells us that during his formative years Jesus developed in four ways. He grew in 'wisdom' (intellectually), and 'stature' (physically),' in favour with God' (spiritually) 'and men' (socially). Parents need to keep in mind the need to provide for their children's development in each of these aspects so that they will achieve a balanced maturity. Today, we have become more aware of the importance of emotional health and although this is included in growing socially it is worth stressing the importance of providing children with a secure, loving home free of conflict so that they learn how to receive and express love when they become adults. |
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Again we are reminded of the strong commitment to social justice throughout the Bible. Jesus always identified himself with the underprivileged, the poor, the powerless and the oppressed. The angels came to the shepherds, not the royal palace. He was born in a stable and followed the trade of a carpenter until his ministry began. The words of today's passage are a quotation from Isaiah's prophecy, which Jesus applied to himself saying, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing'. Jesus' mission was to bring good news to all who were deprived. The references to the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed all probably had a spiritual aspect also. The key words are 'the year of the Lord's favour', which suggests the jubilee (fiftieth year) of Leviticus 25:8-17. It was a time when all debts were cancelled and all property reverted to its former owners. It was a time of rejoicing for the poor and oppressed. Jesus came to give all people the offer of the cancellation of past sins and the chance of a fresh start--a spiritual jubilee. |
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Jesus' popularity was due in a large measure to his healing ministry. He did not pray for people to be healed, he laid his hands on them or gave a command and they were instantly healed. He appears to have been motivated by two different reasons. (1) He was moved with compassion for the people. He never exercised his power for his personal advantage, only for ministering to human need. (2) His miracles of healing were evidence that God was with him. When John the Baptist doubted whether he was the promised Messiah Jesus pointed to his miracles of healing as evidence. (Luke 7:19-22) It is strange that the Pharisees did not recognise him as the Messiah but the evil spirits did. They cried out, 'You are the Son of God'. God still heals people today. We cannot command healing as Jesus did. God does not give his power to people but he does work through people, mostly through particular persons who are so fully surrendered to him that they can be trusted not to abuse the power or take the glory for themselves. All healing is from God. The surgeon cuts the tissue but the body heals itself. We appreciate the members of the medical profession and their wonderful contribution as they assist the body to heal itself. |
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On a number of occasions during his ministry Jesus sought the solitude of the hills to pray. Up to this point Jesus had been working alone. The time had come to prepare leaders who would take the gospel to all nations. This particular prayer time was probably for guidance in the selection of the twelve. The men he chose were a mixed group of fairly ordinary status. It would be an interesting exercise to gather all the data we have about each one. We would see how diverse and imperfect they were. His choice of Judas will forever remain a mystery. Seeking God's guidance is important for every Christian and most find it difficult to discover the Lord's will. Jesus' example teaches us that prayer is an indispensable factor in guidance. Also we need to get away from people and pray alone. We need to surrender our will and circumstances to the Lord. Do not expect to hear an audible voice but be sensitive to thoughts that come into your mind. Compare what appears to be a leading from God with scripture. It often helps to talk the situation over with a trusted friend. We are not meant to walk the journey of life alone. |
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It is strange but true that many unbelievers hate goodness and to be called a 'goody goody' is a derogatory term. It seems that this is because Christians confront them with a higher standard that makes them feel guilty. They justify their own neglect or rejection of God by rejecting him in us. This has been Israel's offence: God called them to be different and this is part of the root of anti-Semitism. But the remarkable part of this passage is that Jesus says that to be hated, excluded, reviled and cast out because we are his disciples is a blessed state and, instead of being downcast and feeling hard done by, we are to rejoice and leap for joy. In addition we will have a great reward in heaven. Jews and Christians have been persecuted throughout history because of their faith. Perhaps we do not experience this rejection in our Western culture because we have tended to conform to the semi-Christian lifestyle around us rather than rebuke it. Christians have tended to withdraw into their church buildings away from the marketplace of life where Jesus exercised his ministry. Jesus expects us to be a light in the world's darkness (Matthew 5:14-16) but we must expect opposition from those who control the darkness. |
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Jesus was always trying to break down selfishness and create community. He encouraged generosity and thinking of others rather than ourselves. He said, 'Give to every one who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.' We are to 'do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back . . . and you will be the sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.' We would have to assume that the need in all such cases was genuine. Jesus would expect us to be discerning and not give to anyone who sought to take advantage of our generosity. Today's text states a general principle to which there will be occasional exceptions. That is a risk we are asked to take so that genuine needs will be met. Note the excessive generosity with which we will be repaid: 'A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.' This is not the way the merchant usually measures out his produce. Jesus is saying that it pays to be generous in meeting others' needs. Both now and in the future we will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams. |
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Jesus was very aware of the gap that existed between knowing and doing. He often advised his hearers to listen carefully. It is so easy to read a passage of scripture or hear a sermon and mentally assent to it without letting it change our lives. Jesus here tells us that there is no value in knowing what is right unless we allow that knowledge to change our attitudes and behaviour. Jesus is also saying that his way is the right way. We are building for eternity when we follow his teachings. The down side is that if we ignore his teachings our life will certainly be a failure no matter how rich, successful or famous we may become. At the end of life when we are faced with old age, weakness and death, we will find our treasured earthly assets swept away and we will have nothing left, not even life itself, to take into the future God had intended us to enjoy. Now is the time to take Jesus' teachings seriously and to make him our Lord and Teacher. People can be incredibly stupid: they are wise and astute in the ways of this world but they make no plans for eternity. It might pay to examine the foundation on which your life is presently built. |
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This is the third occasion recorded in the gospels of Jesus raising people from the dead. The others were Jairus' daughter and Lazarus. We must accept these as eyewitness accounts and come to terms with the fact that Jesus had power over death. If we cannot accept this neither can we accept his own physical resurrection. To be a believer we have to accept the reality of miracles. Some of Jesus' followers today have believed that they also should be able to raise the dead through faith and prayer but there is no statement of Jesus which supports this claim. God does not delegate his power. When people are healed today it is God who heals, not the human agent who prays. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, unless we have hope of our own resurrection our faith is in vain. The central message of Jesus was that he had the power to impart eternal life to his followers. These three instances, added to Jesus' own resurrection, give us faith to believe in our own resurrection. I have conducted many funerals and the mood of mourners in Christian funerals and the funerals of unbelievers is quite striking. Christians have a confidence and hope that lifts them above the sorrow of parting. |
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The outstanding difference between Jesus and the religious leaders of his day was his tolerant attitude towards those who had sinned. His enemies criticised him for being 'a friend of tax collectors and sinners'. He justified his attitude by saying that he had not come for the righteous but 'to call sinners to repentance'. At another time he said he had come 'to seek and to save the lost'. Many still fail to make a distinction between the sinner and their sin. Jesus teaches us to condemn drunkenness without rejecting the drunkard and to condemn moral lapses without rejecting the man or woman concerned. Jesus purpose is to keep the door open for reform. The Pharisees attitude closes that door by permanently labelling the person with their failure. The woman concerned in this story was redeemed and reformed by Jesus' acceptance of her as a person of value. Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' His forgiveness cancelled her guilt and gave her a fresh start. Everybody should have the opportunity of a fresh start for who is there among us who does not need to hear Jesus say, 'Your sins are forgiven.' |
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The important phrase in this verse is 'when he comes in his glory'. Jesus is here declaring that he will return to earth a second time, not in earthly humility, but in divine glory. The word 'glory' is used of God in both the Old and New Testaments. It indicates majesty and authority and implies worship. In his last prayer for his disciples (John 17) Jesus speaks of the glory he had with the Father before the world was made and predicts that he will share his glory with his disciples. On the day of his coronation Jesus will acknowledge some as his own and reject others. The basis of the judgment will be whether we openly acknowledged Jesus and his claims or whether we were ashamed of him. (See Matthew 10:32-33.) If we wish to share with Jesus in the glory of his kingdom we need to stand with him openly declaring our belief and allegiance here and now. To do this we should declare our discipleship by being baptised as an act of commitment and by taking membership in a church where we will participate in active worship and support its activities. We should also use the normal day-to-day opportunities to share our faith with others. |
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Jesus' ministry was in the tradition of the prophets of the Old Testament. A prophet did not lead a normal life. His task was to deliver God's message to the people. Men like Elijah and Jeremiah found that the prophetic role demanded that they sacrifice normal family life for the sake of their calling. Jesus did not marry, he did not own a home or have a normal income. This is not required of all his followers but, depending on circumstances, it may be necessary. When Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs during his ministry they were provided for, but after his resurrection he told them that they were now going into an unbelieving Gentile world where they would have to supply their own needs. (See Luke 22:35-36.) The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus and asked about their reward. Jesus assured them that they would be rewarded one hundred fold and receive eternal life. (Matthew 19:27-29) So those who hear the call of Christ to give up a normal lifestyle in order to proclaim the gospel may forfeit some of the usual family and financial opportunities but they are assured of an abundant reward in Christ's kingdom. |
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How will we know if Christ is calling us to be one of his messengers to take the gospel to our generation? The call of God does not generally come in dramatic fashion as it came to Paul or to Isaiah. It is often an increasing feeling that this is something we could do and should do. It is a growing constraint on our spirit that finally leads us to offer ourselves unreservedly to the Lord for whatever he may call us to be and do. This is followed by seeking confirmation from trusted friends and favourable circumstances. Sometimes the willingness is there but the circumstances do not permit us to proceed. We can only offer ourselves to 'the Lord of the harvest' and seek his leading. It will not be easy to serve our Lord in an unbelieving world. Jesus graphically describes our role as lambs in the midst of wolves. But we do not go alone. When Jesus commissioned his disciples he promised to go with them. (Matthew 28:18-20) He promised them the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16) We will be as the very voice of Christ to our hearers. (verse 16) It is a call to a sacrificial but a satisfying life of service to God and man. |
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Jesus placed the emphasis on doing. Belief that does not translate into behaviour is not real belief. True belief gets its priorities right and gives God first place in regard to loyalty. God always tests our loyalty to him by our behaviour towards our fellow men and women. In answer to the question, 'Who is my neighbour?' Jesus told the now famous story of the caring Samaritan. The Jewish religious leaders, the priests and the Levites are presented in a bad light because they failed to show loving care to a man in danger and need. The despised Samaritan, who was regarded as a heretic, is given Christ's approval because he showed compassion and care. The story shows that mere intellectual belief and assent to biblical doctrines is of no value in God's sight unless it is backed up by appropriate behaviour. Jesus' blunt advice to the religious lawyer who asked the question was, 'Go and do likewise.' The path to eternal life begins with belief in Jesus as the Son of God, but Jesus is only the gate that leads to the narrow way of daily obedience to the will of God. |
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After teaching his disciples the prayer we call 'The Lord's Prayer' (Luke gives a shortened version), Luke adds Jesus' parable about the man who pestered his neighbour until he gave him what he wanted. He praises the man's unashamed persistence. He urges his disciples to ask God for what they want, to seek until they find the answer and to knock until God answers. It is not that God is reluctant to respond. He is more caring even than an earthly father who gives his children things they need. He tells his disciples that God has one gift that covers all their needs--the gift of the Holy Spirit. (verse 13) If it is not God's reluctance to give us his gifts it must be that prayer creates in us the right spirit of receptiveness that makes it possible for God to impart to us those gifts that are most appropriate. The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) teaches us this same truth. Petition is an important aspect of prayer. In some way we do not understand, prayer enables God to do for us things he would not otherwise do. |
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See Matthew 12:24-32 and Mark 3:22-30 for their report of this incident and Jesus' remarks about sin against the Holy Spirit. From these accounts it is clear that the sin against the Holy Spirit is to attribute to Satan the work of God. Jesus had cast out evil spirits by the power of God. This was evidence that God was greater than the evil spirits. It should have convinced honest witnesses that the power of God was at work in Jesus. But their minds were so blinded by prejudice that they were incapable of believing. They accused Jesus of being in league with Satan and using satanic power to cast out demons. When people see the power of the Holy Spirit at work and attribute it to Satan, they show themselves incapable of believing, repenting and being converted. The key word is 'blasphemes'. It means to speak impiously, to revile, to speak ill and to hurt someone's good name. To blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is to attack the character of God. This sin is not irrevocable. If a person later realises their error and truly repents and gives God the glory they will be forgiven. A sin only remains unforgiven as long as it persists and is not confessed and renounced. |
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Covetousness is one of the commonest sins of man. The tenth commandment said, 'You shall not covet.' (Exodus 20:17) It is one of the main characteristics of unbelievers. Our modern society is dominated by greed. The growth of gambling has been phenomenal during the twentieth century. Every sport has its gambling aspect. Gambling casinos and poker machines cater for the rich and the poor alike. Jesus reminds us that possessions are not the measure of real wealth. He tells the story of the prosperous farmer who looked forward to an indulgent retirement but who died before he could enjoy his wealth. Jesus called him a fool because he was not rich in God's sight. Life is short and eternity is long. His whole wealth was material and it was all left behind at death. Verses 13-34 show us the right attitude to possessions. Life is more than food and clothes. God knows our needs. We are not to be anxious about our material needs. We are to seek God's kingdom and trust God to meet our daily needs. We are to be generous. The money we spend on ourselves is gone forever. The money we give away for God's work or the needy is credited to us for eternity. |
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We have two separate statements here. (1) Jesus says his coming was to cast fire on the earth and he wishes it was already burning. He is using fire here in its usual scriptural symbolism of purifying and destroying. John the Baptist said Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus is saying here that part of his mission is to purify society and burn up all that is evil. He longs to see God's judgment begin to cleanse the earth of all evil. (2) Jesus says he has a baptism to experience and he feels constrained, limited, restricted until that happens. He is also using the term 'baptism' symbolically. He is referring to the immersion in suffering he is going to experience in Gethsemane and at Calvary. Until his death he is limited and restricted by his physical body but after his death and resurrection he will return to the ubiquitous spirit life he knew before his incarnation. Then he will be freed to be ever present, everywhere as he comes again in the person and power of the Holy Spirit. (See John 14:18-20.) |
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Arthur Pigdon Seeds of the Spirit (2001) |
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