Matthew 12:38-50
Today's Passage: Matthew 12:38-50
Jesus just finished explaining how the Pharisees will be known by their fruit, “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The words spoken reflect the heart of the speaker.
What the scribes and Pharisees say next reveals the inner workings of their hearts. They ask Jesus for a sign. They say, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
At this point in His ministry, Jesus has performed many miracles and revealed His authority in many ways, but this does not prove to be enough for the Pharisees. They want Jesus to act on their terms, they “wish” for a sign. They acknowledge Jesus as Teacher but they treat him more like a magician.
Jesus clearly sees through to their true motives and regards them for what they are: “An evil and adulterous generation.”
The Pharisees would be familiar with the prophet Jonah and the wisdom of Solomon. When Jesus refers to himself as a greater Jonah and a greater Solomon, the Pharisees were undoubtedly surprised by Jesus’ audacity.
Jonah was thrown off the boat to fulfill the wrath of God. After three days in the belly of the fish, Jonah was brought forth alive to call a pagan nation to repentance. God used Jonah to bring Nineveh to himself. Jesus did not avoid the cross but went forward to perfectly fulfill the wrath of God. He laid dead in the tomb for three days, but rose to life again.
Through Jesus, all nations are called to repentance and called into life through and with Him.
In referring to Himself greater than Solomon, Jesus is asserting himself as greater than the wisest and richest man in history. This claim is valid not because of the wealth Jesus had on this earth, but because He stood before them as the ruler over all the earth.
Jesus, the omniscient God, is orchestrating all things together that creation can be redeemed. He is giving the Pharisees a glimpse into God’s heart all along. He is calling them to repentance. He is asking them to see Him for who He truly is, and He is warning them of the consequences if they fail to do so.
Written By: Paulette Black
Jesus just finished explaining how the Pharisees will be known by their fruit, “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The words spoken reflect the heart of the speaker.
What the scribes and Pharisees say next reveals the inner workings of their hearts. They ask Jesus for a sign. They say, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
At this point in His ministry, Jesus has performed many miracles and revealed His authority in many ways, but this does not prove to be enough for the Pharisees. They want Jesus to act on their terms, they “wish” for a sign. They acknowledge Jesus as Teacher but they treat him more like a magician.
Jesus clearly sees through to their true motives and regards them for what they are: “An evil and adulterous generation.”
The Pharisees would be familiar with the prophet Jonah and the wisdom of Solomon. When Jesus refers to himself as a greater Jonah and a greater Solomon, the Pharisees were undoubtedly surprised by Jesus’ audacity.
Jonah was thrown off the boat to fulfill the wrath of God. After three days in the belly of the fish, Jonah was brought forth alive to call a pagan nation to repentance. God used Jonah to bring Nineveh to himself. Jesus did not avoid the cross but went forward to perfectly fulfill the wrath of God. He laid dead in the tomb for three days, but rose to life again.
Through Jesus, all nations are called to repentance and called into life through and with Him.
In referring to Himself greater than Solomon, Jesus is asserting himself as greater than the wisest and richest man in history. This claim is valid not because of the wealth Jesus had on this earth, but because He stood before them as the ruler over all the earth.
Jesus, the omniscient God, is orchestrating all things together that creation can be redeemed. He is giving the Pharisees a glimpse into God’s heart all along. He is calling them to repentance. He is asking them to see Him for who He truly is, and He is warning them of the consequences if they fail to do so.
Written By: Paulette Black
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