20160113 Evil, Adulterous Generation

Evil, Adulterous Generation

Matthew 12:38-45 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want You to show us a miraculous sign to prove Your authority."  (39)  But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.  (40)  For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.  (41)  "The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.  (42)  The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.  (43)  "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.  (44)  Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.  (45)  Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation."

The request, “Show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority,” is met with a strong declaration. First of all, he had just performed a miracle and they accused Him of being possessed of a demon. Second, Jesus is not a side show for anyone’s entertainment pleasure.

He starts and finishes His answer by declaring they are an evil generation. In the beginning He includes the term, “adulterous.” When the Bible uses the term “adulterous generation” it is talking about idolatry, worshipping something other than God. He still promises them a sign, but it is one that was planned from before the beginning of the dawn of time. It is His death, burial and resurrection. He leaves it vague enough they do not understand at the time and perhaps they didn’t understand until their own demise and judgment.

He then reminds them of people who listened in the past. One group listened to a prophet who did not want to preach to them but did and they repented. Another, a queen who traveled many miles to learn and to gain wisdom.

Then He throws a curve ball and starts talking about evil spirits leaving and returning and matters becoming worse for the one possessed… Did you catch that? He turned the table on them. He is now telling them they are demon possessed, or at least have been and will be again. Take a peek at 2Timothy 3:1-5.

They acted religious… had a form of godliness… but they denied the power that could bring about real change in their hearts and lives. They wanted to see a miracle but refused to let the Miracle Worker do a miracle in them.

What or who is at work in your life? What is more important to you? Is time with God important? I’m talking about time where you shut everything else out and listen and let the Holy Spirit search your heart and bring conviction for sin. I’m talking about letting the Miracle Worker work in you, change you to be what He made you to be. Ephesians 2:10

You see the Pharisees, for the most part were just putting on a show. Inside they were dead. Outside they had the rules down, they looked good, they spoke the right jargon, but inside they were void of real life.

Jesus offers abundant life. Have you received Him as Lord and Savior? Or are you just going through religious motions? Here is a link to Lifeway’s ABC’s of Salvation.

Father in heaven, perhaps someone will read this and realize their need for Jesus to make a miraculous change in them. Please draw the lost to Yourself. And show us the truth of our own hearts. Are we…, am I more in love with You or this world? Bring Your Holy Spirit conviction to our hearts and grant us the gift of repentance. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!