Matthew 12:22-50

After He cast out a demon, the people present recognized His power and wondered if Jesus might be the Messiah. The Pharisees wanted to squash this idea, and thus accused Him of being in league with the devil. This is a common trick seen even today - when you don't have a good argument, mount a smear campaign. Jesus pointed out the flawed logic in their accusation though. If Jesus were getting His powers from the devil, why would He be casting out demons? This would be in opposition to the goals of Satan. Also, He said, you have to use the same logic on your own followers. They cast out demons as well, but you don't say they do it in the name of the devil. If the Pharisees admitted that Jesus' power came from God, they would have to recognize His authority over them. You either stand with Jesus or you stand against Him - there's no middle ground.

By ascribing Jesus' deeds to the devil, the Pharisees committed the worst possible sin. Not content to say these things were not of God, they went the opposite direction and said they were of the devil. Who can see so clearly the work of God put forth and call it evil? Only those with an evil heart, set against God and His kingdom.

The words we speak are an outward reflection of what is in our hearts. Once we speak, our words cannot be taken back and we will have to account for every careless word we speak before God. This goes beyond what we say about God to what we say about others and to others. Words can tear people down - insults, gossip, accusations. Words can also build people up - compliments, encouragement, advice. As Christians, we need to be careful to use our words to glorify God and show our love for people.


After this, the Pharisees asked Him for a sign. What might they have accepted as a sign? Could Jesus have done anything to convince them or would they just ascribe whatever He did to Satan and still not believe? From Jesus' reply, it seems that He could not do anything that would convince them. They thought they already had all the answers and were looking for more evidence to twist into supporting their position. Jesus here prophesied His death and resurrection as the only sign they would get. Like Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, so would Jesus be buried in a tomb for three days. The difference is that the people of Nineveh, where Jonah was sent, repented. These people that Jesus came to would not. Besides, even if they were given an overwhelming sign, how long would it last before they slipped back to their old ways? No, there was no getting through to these ones.

It seems today that the people we come into contact with are as stubborn as the people in Jesus' day. It can be tempting to reason that we should not witness to them because they will not accept Christ's message. This is not our call to make though. We cannot tell who will come to Christ and who will not; we cannot turn anyone's heart. All we can do - all we are called to do - is to share what we know. The rest is in the hands of the Holy Spirit.


Lastly, in this chapter, Jesus is teaching to a crowd when His mother and brothers came to find Him. They asked one of His disciples to go get Him so they could speak to Him. Jesus replied that His followers were His family - not to say that He had disowned His earthly family, but that His first priority was to the people who had made a commitment to follow Him.

How wonderful that you and I can be counted as brothers and sisters of Christ. It is because He has welcomed us into His family that we can share in the inheritance of heaven.