Matthew 12:38-50
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. 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. 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.
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.”
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.”
Reflection
The scribes and Pharisees continue to resist Jesus, and demand that he perform a miraculous sign to prove himself (Matt. 12:38). Jesus refuses, though his identity will be clear in the coming miracle of his resurrection from the dead (v. 40). He reminds them of the Old Testament story of Jonah, in which the pagan Ninevite people repented when Jonah told them about God’s coming judgment (Jonah 3:1–10). The Pharisees have a rich Jewish heritage, but it will not save them. Someone who is greater than Jonah has arrived, but the Pharisees are not as humble as the non-Jewish Ninevites (Matt. 12:41).
People should not assume that their religious heritage or their familiarity with the Bible automatically makes them part of God’s true people (see also 3:9; 8:10–12; 11:25). Only those who have responded to Jesus and follow him by faith in his wonderful message of forgiveness have a place within the people of God.
Romans 10:14-21
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for“Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,“I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Reflection
These verses help explain why so many of Paul’s fellow Jews did not believe in Jesus. They also clarify why Paul is concerned for the salvation of the Jews. To be saved, they must call on Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9, 13). But before they can call upon Jesus, preachers must be sent to them (v. 15) so that they can hear the gospel and believe (v. 14). Yet even though all these things had happened in Paul’s day, the Jews “have not all obeyed the gospel” (v. 16). This is another reason why it is clear that God’s word to Israel has not failed (see again 9:6). The issue is not God’s faithfulness. The problem is that many Jews are not believing or receiving the message about Christ (10:17), even though the good news has gone out everywhere (v. 18). Paul is telling us that Jewish unbelief in his day cannot be blamed on lack of opportunity to hear.
This passage reminds us of the importance of sharing the gospel with others, regardless of what we think the results might be. Out of love for sinners, God gives them the opportunity to receive his grace when the gospel is proclaimed.
Psalm 145:4-7
4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
People cannot be saved unless they hear the message about Christ’s life, death for sin, and resurrection. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with others, and pray that God would give them eyes to see the glory of God as they hear about Jesus (2 Cor. 4:6).