Luke 12: 8 – 12 A Warning About the Holy Spirit

Luke 12: 8 – 12 A Warning About the Holy Spirit

"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."

This passage troubles me. Jesus holds out his harshest criticism, the harshest of punishments – denial of God’s forgiveness – his very mercy and love - for those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Why such condemnation?

Jesus goes on to remark on the role of the Holy Spirit in the coming of his Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is to be the apostles’ teacher and guide in time of trouble, and Jesus knows that there is trouble ahead. Jesus understands the important role the Holy Spirit will have in the formation of his church. From the Holy Spirit will come courage, wisdom, knowledge, faith, etc., all vitally important in the continuation of his mission after Jesus has ascended to heaven. Without the Holy Spirit, the gifts the Spirit brings and the apostles' acceptance and belief in those gifts, Jesus mission might have come to a quick end because of the power of fear and doubt. Instead the power of the Holy Spirit helped to found Christ’s great movement - to preach the coming of the Kingdom, reliance on God’s mercy and justice, and love for one another. Come Holy Spirit!