Empty (Matthew 12:38-50)
July 26, 2020
Chapter 12 of Matthew has been full of stubborn rebellion from the Pharisees. First, they accuse the disciples of breaking the Sabbath. Then they seek to destroy him. After that, they watch him heal someone who is demon-possessed, blind and mute, but all they can say is, "He does this by Beelzebul, the prince of demons." They have accused him of deceiving the people and working great evil instead of good.
Last time we saw how Jesus responded with logical argumentation and warnings. He said that he is binding up Satan so that Israel can finally be free from his spell. He warns that everyone who refuses to stand with Jesus and accept the truths the Holy Spirit is revealing through him, will not be forgiven on the day of judgment.
Looking For A Sign (38-39)
Matthew 12:38--39 (ESV) --- 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Notice that the discussion from earlier in Chapter 12 is not over. Verse 38 says that the Pharisees answered him. That means that this is still tied to the previous events. How would they respond to Jesus' warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit? The Pharisees ask Jesus to perform a sign for them. Never-mind the healing of the demon-possessed man who is blind and mute. They need something more concrete than that. How many of us have looked for signs? We tend to enjoy some kind of confirmation before we dive in and make serious changes. Is there anything wrong with looking for a sign? How many people do we know who look for a sign as an excuse? They want irrefutable proof, but they will shoot down every bit of evidence you give them.
Jesus responds by telling them that they are an evil and adulterous generation. The two biggest miracle workers in the Bible were Moses and Elijah. Jesus’ miracles make their miracles are on a different level than theirs. But do we remember what their generations were like? Israel saw all of Moses' signs and still rebelled. Israel saw Elijah called fire down from heaven. They said, "The Lord he is God," and then they rebelled all over again. Now, isn't it interesting that Jesus refuses to give them a more concrete sign at this time? Why doesn't he just call down manna from heaven? Jesus knows that it doesn't matter what he does. They are hard-hearted, stubborn, and rebellious just like their ancestors. They don't need a sign. They need a new heart.
The Sign of Jonah (40)
Matthew 12:40 (ESV) --- 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
So, Jesus tells them that no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah. Do we remember Jonah's story? Jonah was a defiant and rebellious prophet. God wanted Jonah to preach to evil people called Ninevites so that they might have the opportunity to repent, but Jonah refused to go. He knew that God would forgive them if they repented, so he got onto a boat and set sail as far away from Nineveh as he could. You see, Nineveh was an enemy to Israel. Jonah hated them and wanted God to judge them. He lacked mercy! But God is merciful and compassionate even toward his enemies. This whole story points to God's mercy toward sinners who repent and God's judgment against those who show no mercy.
The only sign they will receive will be the sign of Jonah. As Jonah was stubborn and thrown into the belly of a fish for three days, Jesus will be obedient and thrown into the tomb, dead, for three days. His death, burial, and resurrection will be the sign they have to accept, but it is unlikely that they will accept it.
Gentiles Will Judge Them (41-42)
Matthew 12:41--42 (ESV) --- 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
He says that Nineveh, a Gentile city, will rise up at the judgment and condemn this generation. This sounds a lot like his curses against Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida. Those who are stubborn and rebellious will be judged! Then, he says, "Something greater than Jonah is here. After that, he moves on to say the queen of the South (A reference to the Queen of Sheba who sought out Solomon's wisdom) will rise up in judgment against them. This is another Gentile condemning the Jews. But then he says, "Something greater than Solomon is here."
These statements by Jesus were shocking, but they make perfect sense based on everything we have seen thus far. Jesus is a greater prophet with much greater wisdom than Solomon, and everyone should be flocking to follow after him. Instead, they are stubborn. Why? Why are they so stubborn and deserving of this great punishment? Jesus tells us why in the next few verses.
A Clean House (43-45)
Matthew 12:43--45 (ESV) --- 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Here we find Jesus' explanation of why these men have become so hard-hearted and rebellious. Remember that this discussion started with Jesus casting out a demon in verse 22. But also notice how the last verse of this section ends with, "So it will be with this evil generation." This phrase connects it with the previous words and ties all these words together. What does all of this illustration mean?
We can picture an evil, unclean spirit leaving a person as Jesus casts it out. Maybe we struggle to know exactly what that looks like, but verse 44 says it's like he's leaving his home and struggling to find rest anywhere else. Then, he decides to go back and see if he can get back in. Not only is the body available, but it's cleaned up and ready for him to bring friends so they can all dwell there and torment the person. Obviously, the person who has lost the evil spirit did not intend for him to return and bring seven friends of his own. What has happened, and what does this mean?
Jesus is using this parable to warn those who might listen to the Pharisees. He blesses people by removing the demons and binding up Satan, but instead of taking advantage of this blessing, they might be tempted to waste it. If they receive the blessing of healing from Jesus, but refuse to obey and submit to him, they will find themselves in a much worse condition. He gives them all of the signs and information they need to turn their lives around, but they refuse to do so. They stay empty. Consequently, everything will be much worse for them when the evil spirit returns. He says, "The last state is worse for them than the first." Instead of becoming what God wants them to be, and taking advantage of this opportunity, they do nothing. Now evil will find a way in through their self-righteousness, and they will become defiant and rebellious. This is truly a wicked generation.
Application
Before we see the last little bit of this Chapter, let's talk about what this means to us. This whole Chapter is about the Pharisees trying to deceive the people to deny Christ. They call him a lawbreaker, claim his works are from Satan, and try to get him to perform another sign. Have we experienced someone trying to turn our hearts away from Jesus? The ultimate application of this Chapter is a warning against skeptics who refuse to accept the evidence presented in the first 11 Chapters of Matthew. Don’t listen to them. Jesus is the Messiah. Do not stubbornly deny it!
This section also has a deep application for us. We may not have experienced demon possession. But has God helped us overcome some great evil in our lives? Maybe we were walking down the path of self-righteousness, anger, lying, sexual sin, or stealing, and we feel like everything has worked out positively because God has worked in our lives. We have been set free from those sins and have not suffered the consequences that they deserved. How much more does God have to do for us to open up to him?
If God’s word has helped you overcome your sin and straighten your life, what are you going to do with that? I remember having all of these questions, and God answered them through the scriptures. Now we aren't so confused about what we are supposed to do. Whatever your evil situation was, if God saved you from it, what should you do in response? Should we sit empty of evil and enjoy a nice clean life? Does God find pleasure in us understanding the truth and feeling content with our knowledge? Would he not much rather us keep growing and live out what we learn to his glory?
Emptiness does not please God. Emptiness is the breeding ground for a much worse life. We cannot be satisfied with the removal of the bad things in our lives. That just opens up Satan's playground for much more serious evil. Being half-heartedly committed to God might result in us turning away from a sinful way of life, but deep down inside, there needs to be more. These Pharisees have not filled themselves with love for God, and their lives are not about doing God's will. This chapter warns us against meaningless repentance. God does not just call us to repent. He also calls us to serve in the mission of glorifying God's name.
Is that you?
As we hear these words, "The last state has become worse than the first," does that resonate with us? Have we become eviler since we have become religious? Do we care about people less? After receiving the blessing from God, these Pharisees turn their backs on him. As Christians, we can do the same thing. This is what we read about happening in Hebrews 10:26-30
Hebrews 10:26--30 (ESV) --- 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
We must be extremely aware of our hearts. We are assured of eternal judgment if we fill our lives with the things of this world rather than God's work. Why won't we follow Jesus with all of our hearts? We need good treasure in our hearts. That good treasure only comes through obedience and the pursuit of God as his word prescribes.
How Can We Soften Our Hearts?
We have to realize that God wants more than a clean house. But how do we fill our lives with the right things? How do we prevent evil from taking up residence in our hearts?
Listen to the final words of Jesus in this Chapter and find encouragement.
Matthew 12:46--50 (ESV) --- 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Those who listen and do the will of God are brothers and sisters and mothers to Jesus. We must fill our hearts with love for Jesus, a love for God's word, and a passion for God's will. The more we know about God, the more we love him. The more we love God, the more we want to love those who God loves. This is all part of the process of spiritual growth. We all go through droughts and times when we feel empty, but Jesus is calling us to fill up with God and not with the things of this world. The word of God is a treasure in our hearts. We must be like David, saying, "Oh, how I love your law, it is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97)
Psalm 119:9--16 (ESV) --- 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
The word of God needs to be stored inside of us until we become saturated with it. But this sounds like a lot of work! Who has time to study the Bible? I have all of these other things I would rather be doing. Do we realize that refusing to study the Bible gives way to the stubborn rebellion in our hearts? If there is no good treasure inside, the evil treasure will find it's home.
Seek This Family
We can be a part of God's family. We have an open invitation. Jesus was willing to deny his family what they wanted to serve those who do God's will. He does the very thing he tells his disciples they must be willing to do. He finds a spiritual family in all those who are seeking the will of God.
We need to see our spiritual family as a valuable asset in staying faithful. The closer we draw to one another, the easier it will be to help each other avoid stubborn, rebellious hearts. God created us to be united and work together to accomplish the mission of proclaiming his glory to the nations.
Conclusion
If you are listening to this and have refused to accept Jesus, please understand that he is tender and merciful. He is humble and lowly. But he is also greater than any person or thing that has ever existed. He did more unexplained miracles than any person to ever live, culminating with the greatest sign the world has ever seen. God raised him from the dead. There are more than 500 eyewitnesses to this event, and not one single theory can stand against the truth of this sign. No one killed by the Romans comes back from the dead. They make sure that their criminals are deader than dead. But Jesus was no criminal, and he willingly gave himself to that form of punishment to save us from our stubborn rebellion. Then, he came back to life. This leads the way for us. We can find new spiritual life and be filled with God if we will just turn away from our sins and submit our lives to doing the will of God. You can find acceptance and forgiveness in God's family.