A WICKED GENERATION SEEKS FOR SIGNS #34

Matthew 12

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43   When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:38-50

Verses 38-43. The scribes and the Pharisees had witnessed enough signs to convert the whole nation, if they were so inclined. Here, they are tempting Him to show even a greater sign. Regardless, He knew their wicked intent. The only sign that demonstrated His Deity would be the sign of Jonas. No doubt, Jonas was dead and raised to life after three days. This would be the sign to the nation, yet they would not believe.

Nineveh was a wicked Gentile city, yet it repented at the preaching of Jonas. Neither is there any evidence that Jonas did any miracles at Nineveh. They repented at his preaching.

The queen of Sheba came to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. Israel had in their presence, one much greater, and wiser than Solomon. At the judgment, her response will add to the condemnation of the wicked nation of Israel.

Verses 43-45. The nation of Israel was more wicked than the surrounding Gentile nations. They were also, more self-righteous. Although the nation had the Son of God in their midst, they saw themselves as righteous. This truth is evident in all the Gospels. If that was their attitude in the presence of Christ, what would their end be after they crucified Him. They were classified as a man with seven additional unclean spirits, more wicked than the ones before.

Verses 46-50. While the Lord was rebuking the religious leaders, a crowd stood without, desiring to speak to Him. Among them were his mother, and half-brother and sisters. We learn that by now, His brothers had believed on Him. “For neither did his brethren believe in him.” John 7:5. There is no doubt this Old Testament text speaks of His half-brothers. “⁷ Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. ⁸ I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. ⁹ for the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” Psalm 69:7-9. The perpetual virginity of Mary is a fabrication by the Catholic Church, as is most of their teachings.  “The Lateran Council of 649, attended by Maximus the Confessor, explicitly affirmed the teaching of Mary’s virginity before, during and after birth. [31] This was further affirmed at the sixth ecumenical council in 680.[4]” Wikipedia. Nowhere is Scripture is there any hint to her perpetual virginity. The text in Psalms 69 refutes it also.

At this point, Jesus make no distinction. All who do the will of God the Father are considered His family. God is the Father of all believers. However, believers in different dispensations are dealt with differently.

 

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Matthew 12:22-37

RELIGIOUS LEADERS ACCUSE JESUS OF WORKING UNDER THE POWER OF THE DEVIL

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29  Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:22-37.

Note: This section serves to show the greater depravity of the religious leaders, and their corrupt nature which was covered with their religious trappings.

Verse 22-29.

The common people amazed at the miracle, and recognized and confessed that Jesus was the son of David. Thus, He was the Messiah!

However, the Pharisees were quick to accuse Him, and attribute His healing powers to the Devil. The reader will notice that there are devils, and one who is their prince. He is called Beelzebub. This title was blasphemous as one could get. Strong’s note says that it is a reference to dung. “(Ba`al Zebuwb)]; dung-god; Beelzebul, a name of Satan: – Beelzebub.” Also, “(Ba`al) and (zebuwb); Baal of (the) Fly; Baal-Zebub, a special deity of the Ekronites :- Baal-zebub.” In other words, they accused Jesus of deriving His power from a gentile god associated with the dung flies.

Although it is true that Satan has power granted to him to do miracles, he will not do one that would destroy his own kingdom. If he did, the results would be obvious. A divided kingdom cannot stand. This should have been a rebuke to the leaders, for their nation was, at that very time, divided by the Devil, and it in a state of destruction. In response, Jesus ask by what spirit their disciples cast out devils. They were not about to admit that their followers cast out devils by the prince of devils. Therefore, Jesus said that the kingdom of God had come to them, if His power was from God.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. Before He could destroy the devil and his kingdom, he would have to be defeated and then cast out. This was Christ’s mission. Once accomplished, Satan’s kingdom will exist no more.

Verses 30-32.

There was no middle ground. Those who were for Christ and His Kingdom would follow Him. Those of Satan’s kingdom would follow him. One may blasphemy Jesus and receive forgiveness, but those Jews who blasphemed the Holy Ghost, will not find forgiveness. This statement is in relation to the offer of the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel. The best example of this is in Hebrews 6:4-8. ^“ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, ⁵  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, ⁶  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. ⁷  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: ⁸  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” The “world” in both references was to the “age” the Jews were in, and in the “age” to come.

Verses 33-37.

The vine is a symbol of Israel’s spiritual privileges. The fig tree is a symbol of Israel’s national privileges. The olive tree is a symbol of Israel’s religious privileges. Israel had become a corrupt tree, and her end was to be burned. The tongue is connected to the heart. They had rejected the ministry of John the Baptist, they were rejecting the ministry of Christ, and they would reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit working through the Apostles during the Acts period. Thus, no forgiveness remained for that generation.

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^{CHRIST, THE PHARISEES AND THE SABBATH #30}

“At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. ² But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. ³ But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; ⁴ How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵ Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? ⁶ But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. ⁷ But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

 ⁹ And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: ¹⁰ and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. ¹¹  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? ¹² How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. ¹³ Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.” Matthew 12:1-13.

Jesus had chosen His Disciples, taught them the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, empowered, and sent them forth only to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This begins with the Sermon of the Mount. At this point, in our Lord’s ministry, He begins His encounter with the apostate, wicked rulers of Israel. This chapter illustrates part of that conflict.

Verses 1-8.

At that season, Jesus and his disciples walked through the corn field, and the disciples plucked ears of ripe corn and ate them. When the Pharisees saw it, they found fault, and accused Jesus and the disciples of breaking the Law of Moses.

Jesus rebukes them, first, by pointing to Israel’s greatest King, King David. He asks if they had ever read what David did, and was blameless. When David fled from Saul, he came to the tabernacle and requested bread for himself, and his men. The Priest said the only bread was the shewbread, which is dedicated to the LORD. But, he gave it to David and his men. “So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.” 1 Samuel 21:6. A greater than David stood before them, and they knew it not.

Next, He calls their attention to that which was written in the Law for the Priest to perform on the Sabbath days. “And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: ¹⁰  This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.” Numbers 28:9-10. The Priest was blameless in his service on the Sabbath service at the Tabernacle. Again, He reminds them that one who was greater than the Tabernacle was in their presence. The Jews had added so much tradition to the Law, it became impossible for them to understand their own Scriptures.

Next, He points to their ignorance of God, and the Law. “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6. Israel’s ignorance of their own Law, is best illustrated by the Apostle Paul, when he said, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ¹⁵ But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-15. They were blind then, and they are still blind unto this very day. Man was never made for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man.

Verse 9. Jesus goes from the wheat field to the synagogue. Once again, He exposes their wickedness and hypocrisy. In the congregation was a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees, attempting to trap Him, ask if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath day.  

He used a hypothetical question to reveal their deceit and wickedness by asking them if they would help a sheep that had fallen into a ditch. He answers for them. They would.

Did they actually have more mercy on a sheep than a sick man? He tells them, it is lawful to do a good work on the Sabbath. Then he healed the man.

Sadly, we live in a world of hypocrites. This society has more compassion on a dog, a cat, a whale, or any animal, than they do their fellow mankind. For proof, see how many babies are murdered daily under the cloak of abortion. And, like the Pharisees, they are self-righteous about all of it. As Israel was judged, so will be this nation.

 

 

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Matthew 11:25-30

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30.

Verses 25-26. Pride is the one sin that blocks man from salvation, and illumination. I remember asking a very wise man, “How do you get wisdom?” He said, “I guess you just plead ignorance.” Until you realize that you know nothing, you aren’t ready to learn. The babes are the disciples. Since God is the revealer of truth, He reveals it to whom He will. Sadly, we have a generation of young men who have Bible knowledge, but are greatly lacking in knowledge of themselves. God will teach the humble heart.

Verse 27. God the Father had delivered everything in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth into the authority and the will of the Son. It is impossible to know God except through Jesus Christ. He said that those who had seen him, had seen the father. No one can come unto the Father except through the Son. The Catholic Mary does not fit into the equation. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5. When we read the Holy Scriptures, we should pray that God will open our mind and teach us. If we know the Son, we know the Father. Those who say they believe in God, but reject the Son, know neither.

Verse 28-30. These verses bring to a close the aspect of our Lord’s ministry that we have been dealing with. To close it, He gives one last general invitation to all who labor under the burden of sin. He invites all, and promises that He will give them rest. They would rest from the burdens laid on them by the religious leaders. They would find rest in the assurance of His promises. And, they would find rest in His love and forgiveness. Dr. David Reese says, “The Lord begins a new phase where He withdraws from the nation and begins to teach His disciples things not revealed yet. He prepares them for His crucifixion and departure. The offer of the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing to a close because it has been rejected. Following His teachings concerning the mysteries of the Kingdom, the rejection of His person intensifies.”

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