Matthew 12:22-32

Matthew 12:22-32 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  You can tell a lot by a person by their response to insults.  Here, Jesus is offering to forgive anyone who speaks a word against him.  He offers to forgive every sin and blasphemy save an offense against the Holy Spirit, which is an outright rejection of God.  He is willing to set aside his own ego in order to ensure that there is still a path to grace and forgiveness for those with an interest in pursuing it.  The Good Shepherd is leaving a path open to pursue every sheep.
  A lot of us, when insulted, shut a person out.  We might ignore the one insulting us, or we might put up our defenses and react with meanness, fighting fire with fire.  While this satisfies our need for revenge, Jesus shows us a different one -- one filled with humility that is far more challenging to walk.  Jesus' way accepts the hostility in the hopes of preserving the relationship over the long term.  Jesus has hope for each of us, and he pours himself out to demonstrate the lengths to which God will go in order to forgive and redeem.  No price is too great to save us from sin!