Matthew 12:33-50

A Tree & It’s Fruit/You & Your Mouth
Jesus tells us a familiar yet simple message that the people of His era could understand. You will be known by the fruit you bear, just like a tree. Be careful, Jesus warns, the words from your mouth reflect the condition of your heart and it is your heart that Jesus is going to look at on the day of judgment. We will be responsible for every word that comes out of our mouth and have to answer for them before the LORD.

The Sign of Jonah
When the Pharisees ask for a miraculous sign Jesus rebukes them. He gives them several examples of people who saw lesser signs and miracles and repented of their sins while this hard-hearted group was now witnessing God’s only Son and rejecting the signs and messages He had already given them. They wanted more miracles. How many of us do this to Jesus? “Just do ____X___ and I will believe.”; “Just heal ___X___ and I will follow you.”; “Just deliver me from ___X___ and I will never do that again.” We turn Jesus into a genie that is to grant us wish after wish instead of treating Him with the obedience and majesty He deserves as Creator of all things.

The close of this section is a weird illustration about demons leaving a person only to come back in even more numbers. It is my understanding that if a person is a believer in Jesus Christ that person is indwelt with the Holy Spirit and CAN NOT be possessed by demons or evil spirits. The Spirit of God will not be pushed around by lesser spirits so if you are a true follower of Christ do not fear this illustration that Jesus is giving. This story is a timeless message that we can not achieve spiritual righteousness on our own. We can try all sorts of 12 step programs and 7 day experiences, we can read all sorts of self-help books and listen to Oprah everyday on how to be a better person. Sometimes we may even achieve a measure of success for a time. But without the Spirit of God living inside you to direct and lead you it will result in failure. I will say it again for those of you in the cheap seats; WE CAN NOT ACHIEVE SPIRITUAL RIGHTEOUSNESS ON OUR OWN. We need the shed blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us and we need the guidance of His Spirit to lead us. This is what Jesus is trying to convey with this story of the demons who leave only to return.

Jesus’ Family
Jesus closes this chapter with a revelation that should comfort us. If we do the will of God we are members of His family. We are adopted children of the Most High God. It doesn’t get any better than that! No matter of you are young or old, a baby Christian or a more mature Christian; say it with me, “I am a child of God!”

We are children of God! We have been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ and nothing can separate us from Him (more on that as we go through the NT)!!

Thank You God for Your un-ending mercy!! Praise You God for Your faithfulness!!

Have a great day!! May God be with you.