Matthew 12:38-42 The Sign of Jonah

A sign is an earthly event that points to a heavenly reality. In this case, the Pharisees wanted a sign from Jesus to have him confirm to them that he was really the Messiah. In most cases signs are granted to those who believe and need a confirmation, but rarely is a sign granted to skeptics (evil and adulterous generation) so that they might believe. The sign that Jesus recalls for them is the sign of Jonah who spent three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish as a sign of the soon to come death and resurrection of the Son of Man. The Ninevites would condemn the Pharisees because they repented at Jonah’s preaching. And Jesus is greater than Jonah!

Jesus brings up another character who will condemn the Pharisees at the judgment: the queen of the South. “She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.” And Jesus assures them that something greater than Solomon is before them. The Pharisees reluctance to accept Jesus as Messiah despite all the signs he performed before their own eyes is a sign of their own unbelief. Jesus was not about to cater to their unbelief by performing special signs for them. He expected them to perceive the signs already given. He expected them to respond like the Ninevites and like the queen of the South.

Many today, like the Pharisees, are still asking for a sign from God to know if they should give up their ways and follow Jesus. Many still like to cut deals with God: “If you grant me this one thing, I will follow you.” The signs are already before us and the deal has already been cut in Jesus Christ our Lord. To follow Jesus is to be able to read the signs of the times and respond with repentance and pursuit of his wisdom.

Father, grant me the sensitivity to see the signs of the times and to respond appropriately with a heart of repentance and pursuit of your wisdom. Take away my unbelief and fill be with trust and obedience.

Matthew 12:22-32 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

The miracles Jesus performed were designed to be signs that he is the Son of David, Son of Abraham, Son of God, the Messiah to come and it was working. After the exorcism of a demon possessed man who was blind and mute, people witnessed that he could speak and see and began to wonder if Jesus was the Messiah to come. Unfortunately, the Pharisees started to discredit Jesus’ miracles as being performed by Beelzebul. Beelzebul means “master of the house” and was used to refer to Satan. Jesus proceeds to prove that this assumption is incorrect appealing to some logic: A kingdom, city, or house divided against itself cannot stand. How can Satan cast out his own demons and stand?

Exorcisms performed by the Spirit of God are a sign that the kingdom of God has come. Using the imagery of the plundering of a strong man’s house, Jesus indicates that he is against Beelzebul and not in cooperation with him. Casting out of demons is not possible unless Beelzebul is bound. What is the blasphemy that will not be forgiven? The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The blasphemy that attributes God’s work to Satan. This blasphemy results from a heart that is unable to distinguish God’s work from Satan’s work and is unwilling to give glory to God for what only God can do. It is a heart that is darkened and unwilling to allow God’s light to come in. It is important to note that the blasphemy against the Spirit is not a one time deal of attributing something to Satan that God did, but a lifestyle that refuses to admit God’s work and give him glory.

God wants us to see and live reality. Satan is an expert in deception. If Satan can deceive us to think that what God does is not really his work, then he has a stronghold upon us. To follow Jesus is to perceive his hand at work in the world by the Spirit and to give him glory for his works.

Father, help me see and live in your reality. Deliver me from the evil of blaspheming against your Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:1-22 Peter and John Before the Council

The healing of the lame beggar was an indisputable sign from God. There were people who witnessed the healing. There were people who knew firsthand the beggar, who was over forty years old, and his condition. Though many people came to Christ as a result of the miracle (estimated 5,000), some still opposed the message. The priests and the Sadducees were annoyed with the preaching for different reasons. The priests opposed it because they didn't believe in Jesus as the Son of God. The Sadducees opposed it because they did not believe in the resurrection and did not like the proclamation that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. No matter how powerful a sign God may perform in our midst, there will be opposition.

Peter and John, after being arrested, were questioned about their good deed. The officials asked by what power they had performed it. Peter, filled with the Spirit answers that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Now, this is what I call courage and boldness! Knowing that he was arrested by people who hate Jesus and the resurrection, Peter still pounds, without fear, the truth in their faces. This is the kind of courage and boldness I need in this world to make known the message of the kingdom of God.

The message of the kingdom is clear. Jesus Christ is the one killed and resurrected; the stone they rejected and God made him the cornerstone; the salvation of the world. For there is no other name in which we must be saved. Peter not only demonstrated courage and boldness in preaching Jesus' name and his resurrection, but he makes the claim that Jesus is the exclusive savior - there is no other. We think that a message of exclusivity is not accepted today, but in those days, there were many religions and some pagan religions had many gods. To make a claim of exclusivity was counter-cultural, even daring. The gospel of the kingdom does not have room for polytheism (many gods) or syncretism (mix of religions). I need to make a decision about Jesus: Is he or is he not the Savior of the world? If he is, I must proclaim him as the exclusive savior with resolve and unapologetically.

The Spirit of God takes uneducated, common people and transforms them into true witnesses to the world. People who are determined to speak the name of Jesus no matter the cost. Even under threat to speak to no one, they were more concerned with God's perspective - "whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you." What they had witnessed was so life-changing that they could not be silent - "for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Have I truly experienced the saving power of Jesus in my life? If I have, what is holding me back from sharing the greatest thing that has happened in my life? If I fear something, it means I am not filled of the Holy Spirit. I need his fullness today, every day!

Father, send your Spirit and fill me up. May I boldly proclaim the name of your Son Jesus no matter the opposition. Grant me courage and boldness. Amen.

Matthew 24:1-14 Signs of the Close of the Age

The disciples wanted to know when the destruction of the temple was going to take place and what was the sign for Jesus' return. A sign is an indicator of what is to come. It is important to realize that the conversation has two very distinct events in view: the destruction of the temple and the return of Christ. But Christ does not make a clear distinction between these events in his timetable. It is my conviction that the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (AD70) are the characteristic events that will lead us to Christ's return.

What are those events? In short, they are: false prophets, wars, famines, persecution, and apostasy. The appearance of false doctrines and prophets is as common as wars and famines around the world. The Church is being persecuted today more than ever before. We had more martyrs for the faith in the 20th c. than all the previous centuries combined and it is going to get worse. As a result of persecution there will be a great apostasy - people denying and abandoning the faith. These events led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple and will continue to lead this age to its close.

One important and determining factor for Christ's return is the proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom into all the world as a testimony to all nations. All other sings are out of my control, but this one is in my hands. If I work to ensure the proclamation of the gospel around the world, I am in fact working to ensure the return of Christ is sooner rather than later. I must have a sense of urgency about missions. It means the end of this age filled with evil and suffering to welcome a new age filled with joy and peace. I want to go home...

Unfortunately, another sign that has to do with me as a believer more than the world, is cold-growing love.  Is my love for Christ and for others growing cold? Am I afraid of persecutions and want to play it safe? A love that grows cold is a hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel and therefore to the prompt return of Christ. A cold love will make me worry about my local church but not care for world missions. The promise of salvation is for those who persevere until the end. I must persevere in the teachings of Christ. I must persevere in love. I must persevere in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Lord, help me be alert to the signs of the end of the age. Grant me courage so that I will not be intimidated by persecution. Fill me with a sense of urgency to preach the Gospel around the world to speed your return. Revive my love for you and the world; don't let it grow cold. Give me strength to persevere until the end.

Matthew 12:38-42 The Sign of Jonah

My wife and I love road trips because it is an adventure. You set a destination and you drive until you reach that destination. The adventure is not in reaching the destination, it is in the journey itself. We enjoy the scenery and all the stops along the way. Whether we use a map or a GPS (and thank God for GPS!), when we are on a road trip, we rely heavily on signs. I'd say it would be impossible to get to our destination without signs.

When I encounter signs on the way, I make a few assumptions about them. A sign points me in the direction I am to go to reach my destination. A sign has vested authority to tell me where to go because it was designed by someone who knows the way and I must trust it. Signs are all along the way, but I must pay attention not to miss any of them lest I get lost. Once I am lost, I have to be willing to trace back my steps to find the signs that will get me back on track.

The scribes and Pharisees were demanding a sign because of unbelief; they were evil and adulterous - spiritually unfaithful. They were lost along the way because they missed the signs that were given to them by our good God. Jesus refuses to give them a new sign and points them to an old sign on the road; the sign of Jonah. And he prophesies about his death and resurrection as the ultimate fulfillment of that sign.

Jesus reminds me of the dangers of not following the signs. Not only will I be lost, but at the end of times, I will not reach my intended destination. The judgment will be based upon the road taken; faithfulness in following the signs to the proper destination. The men of Nineveh made a U-turn when they found they were lost. And the Queen of Sheba put the "pedal to the medal" and put in some mileage to get on track. Jesus is the way; he is greater than the temple; he is greater than the prophets; he is greater than earthly kings. I must pay attention to the signs!

Lord, I want to pay attention to all the signs along the way to heaven. Help me be alert and obedient and protect me from distractions and exits that may get me lost.

Matthew 12:22-32 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

What exactly is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin? Let's follow the story and we will find out. A demon possessed man who was blind and mute is exorcised by Jesus. Exorcism is one of the signs of the coming of the kingdom of God and the Messiah. Signs are meant to point to a reality and compel people to believe. That's why some raised the question: "Can this be the Son of David?" The Pharisees accuse Jesus of performing the exorcism by Beelzebul. Beelzebul is a term derived from an ancient pagan god Baal and used by the Jews to refer to Satan or a demon.

Christ's argument against such a thought is that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. He also points out that some Pharisees, in the past, had attempted to exorcise though without success - he questions by whom or in whose name did they try to exorcise. The only way to cast out demons (plunder the house) is by binding the devil (strong man) first. And to be able to bind the devil there must be faith in Jesus; there must be an allegiance to the Messiah and his kingdom. So the unforgivable sin, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to continually refuse to make an allegiance with the Messiah despite the display of signs by the Spirit. It is unbelief in the face of the Spirit's call, through signs, to believe.

I wouldn't limit the work or signs of the Spirit to an era of miracles in Jesus' time and later the apostles'. The Spirit is alive and continues to work even today until the Lord's return. There are signs all around me. God is at work every day. The proclamation of the Gospel must be followed up by signs to drive people to believe. I must pray to my God to manifest himself in ways that serve to point people to the reality of the kingdom. I must pray that God will lift the blindness of this world so they may see Jesus. 

My emphasis on intellectual proof alone is not going to cut it. I need to believe that God will intervene in people's lives and pray to that end to see it become a reality. Arguments alone will not bring people into the kingdom. We need the demonstration of God's power in people's lives. Many times we think this must be a demonstrable miracle, but God can break through into people's lives in so many different ways. Do I believe? Am I praying for it?

Lord, grant me a passion to see you at work in people's lives. Move me to pray for signs in our day so people can me moved to believe. Help my unbelief. Open my eyes to see the splendor of your work as you give signs of the reality of your kingdom.

Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

The sabbath is a holy convocation of God's people every seventh day. No work is to be performed on this day. The purpose of the sabbath day is to find rest in God - not just physically, but also spiritually. The sabbath day is a sign. A sign is an event that points to a reality. The sabbath day points to the reality that God is Creator of all things and he is the one who sustains all things - not our work. When we observe it, we worship our God as Creator and Sustainer of the universe and find rest for our lives in him. The sabbath day also points to the reality that we are God's people, sanctified and holy (separated from the world and consecrated to him). For these reasons, God made it law. It is the fourth commandment.

Unfortunately, the law that was intended to give us rest has been twisted to burden us. The law that was given to serve was turned upside down to enslave. The Pharisees were experts on this. Instead of looking at the sabbath as a gift and an opportunity to worship, they turned it into a long list of rules and regulations that burdened God's people. On this occasion, the Pharisees accuse the Lord and his disciples of working on the sabbath as they plucked grain from a grain field to eat. The owners of grain fields, according to the law, would leave some of their harvest available for the poor and the widows to pluck so they could survive - they were not stealing!

Jesus cites two cases in the Old Testament that are precedents for an exception. David and his soldiers ate the bread of the presence from the temple on a sabbath. This bread was an offering to the Lord. The other case is the exercise of the priesthood which demands duties to be performed on the sabbath in service to God's people. Both cases were sanctioned by God. Jesus explains that he is lord of the sabbath. He established his authority and identity as the Son of God by sanctioning the feeding of his disciples on the sabbath day.

Jesus points to a principle to help me judge what is God's will: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." Mercy is to show love and compassion to those who deserve judgment and condemnation. Sacrifice summarizes the attitude of a heartless, insincere, and mechanical ritual devoid of love and compassion. The Pharisees offered sacrifice, but no mercy. I definitely want to live day by day by the principle of mercy.

One day a week is a prescription to maintain my physical and spiritual health. When I twist my prescription into a display of my personal performance, I neither rest nor worship. Lord, help me set aside the busyness of life one day a week to worship you and find my rest in you. Protect me from burnout and exhaustion to be efficient and effective in the work of my calling. Help me live by the principle of mercy and even use the sabbath day to extend mercy to those around me when required.