Day #19: January 19, 2009 - Matthew 12:38-50

Though Jesus had just performed a significant sign-miracle, the religious leaders asked for a miraculous sign (Matt. 16:1). (Man, talk about being blind and hard-hearted) Their statement implied that they rejected the many signs given so far. In effect they were saying, “We would just like to see one good sign from You.” The Lord suggested that signs should not be necessary for faith, even though He had given them many signs. Only a wicked and adulterous generation asked for signs . (The word “Adulterous” suggests that Israel was spiritually unfaithful to God by its religious formality and its rejection of the Messiah.)

But no more signs would be given to that generation except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. As Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. (Since the Jews reckoned part of a day as a full day, the “three days and three nights” could permit a Friday crucifixion.) Of course, by giving this sign Jesus was demonstrating that they had already decided to reject Him. For Him to fulfill this sign, He would have to be rejected, die, and be buried. By the time this sign would be accomplished, it would be too late for them to accept His right to rule over the nation as King. The generation He addressed had an unusual privilege, afforded to no previous generation. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of a mere man, Jonah.

The Queen of the South (the Queen of Sheba - 1 Kings 10:1-13) came to listen to the wisdom of a man, Solomon. The response of the Ninevites and of the Queen was commendable. But One greater than Jonah and Solomon (Matt. 12:6) was with this generation, and instead of accepting Him, they were rejecting Him. Their judgment will be certain when they stand before the Judge in the final day. Again pagan peoples were more responsive than the Jewish nation itself.

To show what their condition on earth would be if they persisted in unbelief, Jesus compared them to a man who had found deliverance from a demon (an evil spirit), perhaps through a Jewish exorcist. After the man was delivered, he tried by every natural means to clean up his life and set things in order. But mere “religion” is never effective so the man lacked a supernatural conversion.

Consequently he was subject to possession again with more serious ramifications. Instead of one demon possessing him, he became possessed by seven other spirits. He worse off now than before. The Pharisees and other religious leaders were in danger of that happening to them for their attempts at reformation, without the power of God, were ineffective. They did not understand God’s power, for they had just confused the power of the Spirit with the power of Satan. Thus they were wide-open targets for Satan.

As Jesus concluded His statements, Jesus stated that true discipleship comes not through physical relationships but only through obedience to the will of the Father. Mere religion (Matt. 12:43-45) and family relationships cannot obtain merit before God. Following God’s will makes one a disciple.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

James 4:17 says "To him who know what is right to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."  In other words, when I read the Word or hear the Word or study the Word and God shows me something I am to do - some commandment to obey or some decree to follow - and If I choose not to do it, I am in sin. Lord, today, give me a heart to obey Your Word. Not as some drone, but as an act of worship. Help me be sensitive to every prompting of Your Holy Spirit.

Give the people of COV this same heart. Lord, may Your Spirit work in them and build in them a heart to put into practice all that they hear. Today or this week, help them carve out time to put together their personal testimony - their story of faith. Help them be prepared to be able to share with anyone at anytime about the hope that they have in You and how You have changed their life. Lord, build a burden into their heart for the spiritual condition of others. Give them the courage to speak and share, not in some phony, preachy or negative way, but with all genuineness and sincerity because they actually love and care.

PRAYER

Lord, build true disciples here at COV. Children and students and adults who love You with all of their heart. Be gracious to them and walk with them and pour out Your mercy and forgiveness upon them in every way today. Help them be the light of their world. Help them with the raising of their children. Give their children a heart for you. Lord be merciful with our country. Walk with President Obama. Surround him with people who will give sound, godly counsel.