THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

9Beelzebub had once been the name of a Caananite deity or god called "the lord of the high place."By this time it was used by Jews to denote the ruler of the abyss, the dwelling place of demons. Whenthe Jews knew of this, Jesus exposed the absurdity of arguing that Satan's power could be overthrown bySatan's aid. Then He accused those who had proposed such an illogical conclusion with "blasphemingagainst the Holy Spirit." Why? It is because they deliberately ascribed the activity of the Holy Spirit todemons.Forgiveness is available for every kind of sin, for every form of blasphemy as long as there isgenuine repentance (confession and turning from sin). But when there is blasphemy against the Holy Spiritthere is no forgiveness because those who commit it and persist in it do not know that they aresinning. Therefore they cannot ask for forgiveness. Awareness of sin is fundamental to confession,repentance, and thus forgiveness. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit makes us totally unaware ofhaving sinned.Mark points out the reason Jesus charged those scribes with blaspheming against the Holy Spirit:it was because "they had said, 'He has an evil spirit" (Mk 3:30). The Kingdom of God was beingmanifested as Jesus was proclaiming its message. He exercised its power by casting out demons and thusbringing relief to people caught in the grip of Satan. Thus Jesus argued:"But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God hascome to you" (11:20).If people were able to witness the tremendous work of Jesus as He miraculously ministered topeople and yet conclude that He did so by demonic power, then their spiritual ears and eyes were totallyshut to the light of God's truth. To become that hardened to light meant that for these people light hadbecome darkness and good had become evil.The point is, the light is available for those who will seek it and accept it, but for those whoknowingly, stubbornly, persistently refuse the obvious light, where else can they hope to receiveillumination?TRUST GOD FOR WISDOM AT THE TIME YOU NEED IT (12:11-12)"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worryabout how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spiritwill teach you at that time what you should say" (vv.11-12).