Back to the Bible: Matthew 12:38-50
The Pharisees asked Jesus for evidence (as if He had not just healed a man with a withered hand and a blind and mute man!) Jesus said that they wouldn’t get any more except for the sign of Jonah. Jesus used this to point forward to His resurrection. Jonah was in the fish for three days and nights– that’s how long Jesus would be in the tomb,
Rather than giving them another sign, Jesus compared them to the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South (all Gentiles!). The Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching and the Queen was awed by the wisdom of Solomon. But Jesus, greater than both, stood right in front of those people and they weren't listening. So, the Ninevites and the Queen stood as judges of the generation of Jesus’ day.
Jesus then told a parable about an unclean spirit that left a person, but couldn’t find anywhere to go. The spirit decided to go back. When it arrived, the person was vacant. So, it invited more and worse spirits to dwell inside. The person was worse than they were at the beginning. Jesus said that’s how the people of His day were.
As He spoke, Jesus’ mother and brothers were outside wanting to talk to Him. But, Jesus questioned, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Then, He pointed to His disciples and said, “These are my mothers and brothers.” Why? Because they were doing the will of His Father. That was the connection that counted to make someone a brother, sister, or mother of Jesus.
Lessons to Learn:
Don’t ignore the evidence in front of you. I’d suggest starting with the resurrection. If it is true, Jesus is who He claimed to be. If it isn’t, it’s all a sham. There’s so much evidence. Don’t overlook it.
What are you filling your life with? If we get rid of the bad, but don’t replace it with good, we’re in danger of returning to bad habits. Our lives will be filled with something. Notice Ephesians 4:25-5:2. Paul lists things to get rid of, and tells them what to replace them with. Replace lying with truth, stealing with work and generosity, corrupt speech with words that build up, bitterness and anger with kindness and forgiveness. Get rid of the bad in your life and fill your life with good.
What’s your connection to Jesus? Jesus says that a relationship with Him comes through obedience. Even sharing DNA didn’t make someone part of His fellowship. Commitment to the Father’s will did. Be careful with thinking that our connection to Jesus comes with family heritage, church attendance, self-identification, or warm feelings. Connection comes through obedience to the Father.
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