ResponsiveReiding

From Matthew 13:33 / Kingdom mystery #4 – the mystery of TRANSFORMATION.

There are places in God’s Word where the economy of words is simply astounding. One of those places is found in this parable.

Note first, the first and main point: The Believer is gradually transformed into the image of Christ, it is not an instantaneous act.

Note second, this transformation is through saturation and permeation. The Spirit inwardly makes His way into the deepest recesses of the heart and mind – bringing his Holy influences to every particle of our being. God does not fear time. He utilizes it to His highest glory and our best good. He that began the good work in us, WILL complete it until the day of Christ. He is patient with us, and we ought to be with one another.

Note third: All three of the preceeding parables assert the life and power is in the seed – which ultimately is the Word of God.

1. It WILL bring forth fruit.

2. Even though challenged by harmful fakes, it will survive until the day of harvest.

3. It will begin small outwardly – but it will end filling the whole earth.

4. And it will being transformation in those who receive it into themselves.

Note fourth: The same is true with this parable as with all in this portion – they are about the Kingdom of Heaven. If we lose that focus, we get into interpretive high weeds. This above all points to the Kingdom of Heaven = The Rulership of Christ, first in the individual, and then at His coming – over all creation. In all three Synoptists “the kingdom” is the most important topic in Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew it is usually the kingdom of heaven (32 times) The New Testament is all about this Kingdom being inaugurated by Jesus while He was here, and how He ascended to His throne, and how the whole creation is in the process of being subdued under His feet.

He is IN that position NOW: Ephesians 1:15–23

And the fullness of it is yet to come: 1 Corinthians 15:22–27

So we do not SEE it all yet – but we will: Hebrews 2:6–9

Hints to preachers: Beware some common pitfalls.

A. Is LEAVEN always a symbol of evil? No. Lev. 7:13-14; Lev. 23:15-17 / Peace offerings and Wave offerings were commanded to be done WITH leavened bread.

B. Is this a parable warning us about the way sin invades – akin to Matt. 12:1 or 1 Cor. 5:6? CONTEXT – CONTEXT – CONTEXT

All of the referents to growth in this entire passage are invariably presented in a positive light. It seems odd if Jesus would change that picture midstream without some sort of indication. Don’t forget Jesus and Satan are both called lions in different places.

C. Is this a parable about how the entire world will be brought to Christ eventually through the invading influence of the Church?

None of the other parables seem to indicate that kind of concept – i.e. transforming all of creation.

The balance of Scripture seems to indicate that we must await the sudden return of Christ in that regard – Esp. passages like Matt. 24.

2. Hiddenness / the Secret working of God in His people.

This appears to be the main point of the parable. Luke 17:20–21 (Within you)

It is the reality of the individual living under the direct rulership of Christ – seeing Him as God, and seeking to live by His Spirit of holiness.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness – is NOT to be part of a movement to make Christ King – but to make it a priority in life to be RULED by Christ AS King.

Matthew 17:5

Do not look to a new Moses form of external government

Do not look for the days of the Prophets where they mediated the Word of God to us

Look to Christ as your sovereign and King.

The Kingdom in the larger sense, is simply the collection of those whom are seeking to be ruled over by Jesus Christ as their Lord and God.

3. Permeation NOT sudden transformation in a moment.

We tend to look for keys or experiences which will make our Christian experience or life take giant leaps forward.

These MAY occur from time to time – but as in the parable of the soils, and the mixed seed in the field, and the mustard seed – all speak of a growth process, and not a sudden jump. This is God’s most usual way of working in our lives.

It works silently and insensibly (Mk. 4:26), yet strongly and irresistibly: it does its work without noise, for so is the way of the Spirit, but does it without fail. Hide but the leaven in the dough, and all the world cannot hinder it from communicating its taste and relish to it, and yet none sees how it is done, but by degrees the whole is leavened. – Leon Morris

We do not run to a preacher or some meeting to have a sudden experience of being set free from temptations or sins we battle.

We do not grow in grace in an instant.

Tho there are seasons of more rapid growth than others – growth spurts. But they cannot be created or are to be sought as an answer.

We go about the business of daily learning to yield more and more to the Spirit’s leading us away from sin and into righteousness.

Sanctification is not a matter of sudden jolts. It is the process of His Gospel permeating every facet of our being and bringing each part under more and more control of Christ.

This is why we need to soak more and more in God’s word:

Preached

Read

Understood

Taught

Meditated upon

And forming the lens through which we see all of life.

Perhaps [you will] say, Yes, I have waited on those ordinances, which are the way in which he [has] promised to give out strength. But is this all? [You may] come to them, and not wait on God in them. [Is it possible you have] carnally expected strength from them, and so put the ordinance in God’s stead? [Do you share something in common with those] in James 4:13: ‘We will go into such a city, and buy, and sell, and get gain?’ [Could it be your} heart said, I will go and hear such a man, and get comfort, get strength? and [do you wonder that you are weak, barren, and unfruitful?] Are ordinances [themselves] God, that they should make you strong or comfortable? – Gurnall

4. A LITTLE bit eventually yields a GREAT result.

50 lbs. of flour is referred to here, but only a little leaven eventually leavens the whole lump.

It isn’t more of Christ’s Spirit that we need as though it comes in quantity – what we need is the influence of the Spirit in every part.

Actions.

Thoughts.

Attitudes.

Reasoning.

Plans and purposes.

Responses.

Perceptions.

Feelings.

5. This is God’s METHOD in the progress of His Kingdom – one cannot short circuit it, nor circumvent it.

It is important to grasp this, in order to avoid discouragement in the process of dealing with indwelling sin.

God [at times] may communicate the less of his assisting strength, that he may show the more of his supporting strength, in upholding weak grace: we [aren’t amazed] to see a man of strong constitution, that eats his bread heartily, and sleeps soundly, live: but for a crazy body, full of pains and infirmities, to be so patched and shored up by the physician’s art, that he stands to old age, this begets some wonder in the beholders. It may be [you are] a poor trembling soul, thy faith is weak, and thy assaults from Satan strong, thy corruptions stirring and active, and thy mortifying strength little, so that in thy opinion they rather gain ground on thy grace, than give ground to it; ever and anon thou art ready to think thou shalt be cast as a wreck on the devil’s shore: and yet to this day thy grace lives, though full of leaks. Now is it not worth the stepping aside to see this strange sight? – Gurnall

From Matthew 13:31-32 / Kingdom parable #3 holds the mystery of TRANSITION.

In this wonderfully simple parable, Jesus reveals a most wonderful aspect of His Kingdom: That it starts in one form, but will transition into something altogether different and magnificent from its humble beginnings.

Note first: The main point cannot be missed. The Kingdom will have but the smallest of beginnings in the earth. But one day it will reach its full bloom. It will weather its storms, survive its droughts, not be withered by blistering sun, nor be uprooted by violent winds. Christ’s Kingdom will reach maturity.

I weary of those who preach and teach in such a way as leave people in constant fear that if X, Y, or Z ministry is not properly supported – or worse yes, if A, B, or C political party is not sufficiently supported, the entire Kingdom of Christ is in peril of being eradicated from the earth.

Dear friend, this is for all intents and purposes a blasphemous slight against the purpose and person of Christ Himself. When He announced that He Himself would build His Church and that even the very gates of Hell would not prevail against it – one would think some modern pundits and “prophets” know better than the very Son of God. It is hubris at best and downright denial of His divinity at worst.

If anyone comes to you preaching the Kingdom in such a way that if you do not give a certain amount, vote a certain way, act in a prescribed manner – that the survival of Christ’s Kingdom is at stake – run from them as consummate liars. They cannot lead you into truth if they are so wrong about something so fundamental.

How many figures over the centuries have announced the soon demise of the Bible, the Church and Christianity as a whole?

Nero thought he could kill it.

Mao Zedong thought so too.

It was assumed Communist Russia would.

Philosophers and pundits still claim “in just one generation…!”

And we can either choose to believe Jesus, or them.

Beloved, Christ’s Church started small, but it will end as the Tree of Life over all the earth.

Do not think lightly when the Church seems weak and faltering. It is held by Christ.

From Matthew 13:24-30 / Kingdom parable #2 reveals the mystery of MIXTURE & INIQUITY.

The initial point is right on the surface. Despite all of our efforts, there will be a mixed multitude among us. Even in the Church. Simon Maguses will enter. We will not be able to purge them all out – nor should that be our focus. Discipline yes. Witch hunting no. Just as we will not be able to Christianize the entire world, so this mixture will be reflected in the Church. Do not be dismayed. He has told us it will be so.

Warren Wiersbe’s simple take on this passage is that the the good seed are genuine Christians sown into the world, and the bad seed are not merely unbelievers – but false Christians sown into the world by the enemy.

This posits several most interesting realities.

Sometimes, people come to Church not because the Holy Spirit has drawn them, but because Satan has purposefully sent them for the purpose of disruption. We must be on the lookout. Those who come and disrupt over trifles, are to be rejected after a first and second admonition. (see: Titus ) They will produce great havoc and do much damage if not.

Yet, in His explanation given in vss. 36-43, Jesus seems to draw our eyes to a different focus.

Because the “field” referred to here is not the Church, but rather – the world. In this context His point is different. The idea is – you CANNOT have a pure, “Christian” society. There will always be those who look like Christians but are not, and who will be mingled among all strata of society. In politics, in governments, in nations – it will ALWAYS be a mixed multitude.

We are not to attempt to produce a pure society by eliminating the unbelieving in some way. We are to co-exist with unbelievers in the world until Christ returns. The Church can exercise proper discipline within its own walls – but never in the world at large. We cannot produce a “Christian” nation by keeping out the unbelievers, nor are we to even attempt such a thing.

Beware of movements within the Church which attempt to create such Christian communities totally separate from the world. They are established on a false notion – that somehow, regardless of what Jesus taught here, we CAN uproot the pretenders before the end of the age, and make sure we have a least some little plot of ground that is pure.

Such uprooting is angel’s work, not ours (vs. 41) . And it will be done at the end of the age – not now (vs. 39).

What are we supposed to do then? Preach and live Christ until He comes. That’s plenty.

From Matthew 13:10-17 / The Problem of Parables

In these few verses, we find not only that these parables of the Kingdom reveal “secrets” (mysterion, mysteries), but that Jesus’ means of revelation is itself somewhat mysterious.

The disciples themselves want to know why He is using this method.

Note first: That Jesus is always willing to unfold His darker sayings when people inquire. R.T. France observes that a pattern emerges here. As vs. 34 records, when Jesus spoke to he crowds, “indeed, He said nothing to them without a parable.” And this was not to make Himself better understood, but as a weeding out mechanism. But when the disciples (or any others) seek Him out and ask for explanations – He always gives them.

Note second: That in Jesus’ citation of Isaiah, He explains too why He is using parables. Because prophecy must be fulfilled as a testimony to them. If they knew the Scriptures, they would know this was foretold and they would hear it all differently. Instead, they hear it and themselves fulfill other prophecy by failing to recognize this would happen, and seek me to know the truth behind the parables. It is the good seed falling on hard, stony and weedy ground.

Note third: This passage and especially Jesus’ quotation points out a principle which is threaded all the way through the Bible: That one and the same thing or event, is often divinely used both as blessing and judgment.

The ultimate reality of this will be Jesus’ 2nd coming. In that day, Believers will step into ultimate blessing, and unbelievers will be judged in fire. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was blessing for them and judgment on Egypt. This pattern recurs over and over.

So it is, Jesus speaks in parables, which is a blessing to those who will hear and inquire (vss. 16-17) but serves as judgment on those who will give it but a surface hearing and walk away.

Note fourth: This is explicitly demonstrated in vs. 15 – 14b-15 cited from Isaiah.

The bottom line is in the last sentence: They do not want to turn from their ways, to come to Christ.

They do not want:

a. The healing that only He can provide. They want a helper, not a sole Savior.

b. To have to come to HIM. They hate His exclusivity.

c. To admit they need the healing only He can provide. They want to think differently about their sin. And that it can only be met by Christ.

And so it is with so many yet today.

These are deep reasonings of the heart that most do not even realize.

Note lastly: To what lengths Jesus goes through to give His disciples, and all who believe, a realistic and deep understanding what His kingdom is like in its key facets. How these parables will tell them, and us, what to expect, and not to expect. To understand why things in the Church are the way they are. To keep us from formulating our own ideas about how the Church and the Church age ought to progress.

As such, these marvelous parables keep us from discouragement, and bolster our confidence in what He is doing in the years before His return.

Some will hear, some will not.

There will always be a mixture of the righteous and the unrighteous on the earth, and in the Church until Christ returns. We cannot produce a truly “pure” Church.

Christ’s Kingdom many times appears so small. But it is alive and growing. We’ll see it in due time.

Conformity to Christ’s image is a slow and sometimes painful process. Don’t flag.

The Kingdom really is worth anything and everything we may need to endure.

Christ really is our greatest gain. We need eyes to grasp it more and more.

There is a final day of separation and judgement and reward ahead. Wait for it.

Glory!

From Matthew 13:3-9 / The Mystery of Propagation

As was mentioned before, this is the 1st of 7 parables concerning the mysteries of the Kingdom. This one is about the mystery of PROPAGATION – How the Kingdom expands. Mark summarizes it neatly: “The sower sows the Word” (Mark 4:14)

This is God’s means and method. All other schemes, programs, arrangements and allurements are human inventions without the promise of blessing. It is not about one nation rising and conquering – it is about the Word of God bringing forth its fruit.

Hint to preachers: Preach the Gospel! It is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

Jesus goes on in vss. 18-23 to unpack the parable in some detail.

Note first: The “soil” in all four cases is exactly that – soil. There is no fundamental difference in the composition of the four soils. They are all dirt. There is nothing ontologically different between people themselves which makes any difference regarding the success of the Gospel. The parable doesn’t make the point that seed fell on concrete, and then on steel, a mountain side and then soil. In each case, the seed fell on soil. The problem, was the condition of each soil.

Note second: The soil on the path has all the inherent properties of the other soils – but it’s condition was that it was hard. It would not receive the seed easily. Many a person, even in the Church is unfruitful because of hardness. They receive nothing from the outside. Everything is on their terms. Their hearts and minds have been solidified into a thought process that lets no one, and no thing ever to really enter in. They do not want to be disturbed from the way they have everything figured out. They’ve got their point of view, they are unwilling to be changed. Their favorite songs are: “I’ve got to be me” and “I did it my way.” If they remain hard, if they do not hear the Word of the Lord calling to “break up the fallow ground” (Jer. 4:3 and Hosea 10:12) they will die fruitless, and lost. The hearers of Jesus’ words here should have connected them with God’s former rebukes to such hardness. But that is the nature of hardness, nothing gets through.

Note third: The rocky soil is simply shallow. Nothing gets deeper than the skin. There is “no depth.” This person lives for the visible – the surface things of life. In truth, they never really think about anything very deeply. They flit from relationship to relationship. They change jobs often. They are constantly – and but for a micro second – absolutely enthused about whatever has caught their attention – right then. And then it is off to something else. They’ve tried everything, and been everywhere, and think they are really broad in their experience. But in truth, they know only the slightest bit about a thousand things – nothing really about anything. J.I. Packer once remarked that American Evangelicalism is 10,000 miles wide, and an inch deep. This is true of so many even in the natural. They’ll respond to the Gospel the same way they buy into every other new fad. But stay with Christ? Endure the hardness of staying put and persevering to actually bear fruit in Christ’s likeness? Nope. The people are too difficult, the circumstances not accommodating enough, the preacher boring, the music is the wrong style, the building is too old or too new or too bright or too dark and, and, and…

Note fourth: We come to the fatally distracted. The thorns are the very same encumbrances which threaten us all. But for them – they take priority over everything else. God is good. Religion is fine. Christ and Christianity is great – as long as you don’t go overboard. After all, life is more than serving Christ, isn’t it? I mean, there’s a LOT of other priorities. So worship is second to sports or other involvements. Studying God’s Word is for the Bible nerds. Prayer? – I pray, sort of, when I think of it or something is really pressing. But the thought of actually arranging one’s life around the priorities of Heaven seems too extreme. They want the religion piece in place, but certainly don’t want it to dominate the landscape – just dress it up. And these too will die fruitless and lost.

Note fifth: Then of course there is the soil which hears and receives and endures and brings forth fruit.   

So the question arises, which soil are you?

Note lastly: Hardness can be softened by exposure to moisture. Attendance upon the means of grace can soften the hardest of hearts over time. Rocky soil can be cleared of debris. And thorns and thistles can be weeded out. No one need die in their sins due to these external conditions. Christ is a very great Savior. None of these are hindrances to Him, nor the Gospel. They are hindrances to us. But will He still not save any who call to Him irrespective of their environment? Indeed He will. So Paul can write in 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Such were some of you. Some hard. Some shallow. Some weedy. And yet washed and made new in Christ.

From Matthew 13 / Parables of the Kingdom

I love Matthew 13. It is a remarkable passage. Gathered together here are 7 parables. Parables of the Kingdom. They form a primer for the Disciples of a sort. How they are to understand the Kingdom in the intervening years between Jesus’ ascension and return. A study of each parable by itself is very profitable. Each one, while simple, is profound and rich. But what often gets overlooked is the larger picture. In other words, what happens when we take all 7 together, and assemble the complete picture? 

When we take all seven parables here and put them together, What emerges, is a primer for the Apostles, on getting a “Church Age Overview.” A wonderful grip on what’s happening, what to expect, and what to do. A severely neglected manual for keeping a vision for the Church and its mission in every age. It offers encouragement, insight, and is a preventative against unreal expectations – all in one. Pastors – take heart!

Let’s see the scheme in order.

1 / 3-9 & 18-23 / The Mystery of PROPAGATION: How the Church grows. “The Sower sows The Word”. This is God’s means and method. All other schemes, programs, arrangements and allurements are human inventions without the promise of blessing. It is not about one nation or people rising and conquering with political or military power – it is about the Word of God bringing forth its fruit.

2 / 24-30 & 36-43 / The Mystery of PROXIMITY: The Wheat and the Tares. Explaining that there will be mixture and iniquity on the earth until Christ returns. Despite all of our efforts, there will be a mixed multitude among us. The Pagans will be with us to the end – both inside and outside the Church. Simon Magus’s will enter. We will not be able to purge them all out – nor should that be our focus. There will be necessary Church discipline, yes. But witch hunting? No. Do not be surprised that there will be imposters among us.

3 / 31-32 / The Mystery of TRANSITION: The Mustard Seed. Explaining the small beginning of the Kingdom versus its very great end. What will be, bears little resemblance to what is now.

4 / 33-35 / The Mystery of TRANSFORMATION: Leaven. The image is a deliberately internal one. Change in the Believer has an instantaneous start that produces its great effects secretly, inwardly and thoroughly, but over time. We GROW into the image of Christ’s character, we aren’t zapped there all at once.

5 / 44 – / The Mystery of SUPREMACY: The Hidden Treasure. Explaining how it is that genuine believers are motivated to sacrifice all for that which others cannot see. Here, the man (inexplicably to the naked eye) values what is not seen by others above all else.

6 / 45-46 / The Mystery of SUPERIORITY: The Pearl. Explaining how it is Believers place Christ above all other religion. Christ is our greatest gain.

7 / 47-50 / The Mystery of The CONSUMMATION: The Dragnet. Explaining the free offer of the Gospel to all men. Many are called, but few are chosen. The net of the Gospel is cast into the sea of humanity, and all sorts are gathered in indiscriminately. However, we need not fear. The day of sorting will come. There will be a separating of the goats and the sheep.

Taken in order then we learn these 7 lessons.

A – Confidence and Comfort in the simple plan and program of God in evangelism. God’s Word IS sufficient.

B – There is no need to fret or fear if the World seems to grow and progress in evil along with the Church. The harvest WILL come.

C – Though the Kingdom may seem small and insignificant now – wait. The half has not been told.

D – Though you seem to make little progress in sanctification, you WILL be transformed into His image as the Kingdom grows within you and affects every part.

E – Though others have not seen what you have – you are not a fool to forsake that which you cannot keep to obtain that which you cannot lose.

F – Let no one dissuade you from the singular excellencies of Christ. Truth isn’t all about us- but He is THE Truth, THE Life, and THE Way.

G – Give the Gospel to all men and draw them in. But give them no comfort in the MERE fact they dwell among the saints, simply because they found an attraction here. If they have not been changed, if they are spoiled or dead or unprofitable, they WILL be cast away.  

From Matthew 12:46-50 / The Family of God

This short scene comes on the heels of the very sharp and difficult confrontations above. It makes me marvel.

Note how our Savior never loses His tenderness for those who seek Him, even in His most exhausted moments, and after being attacked most viciously. He is so full of grace.

It was a hard day for Moses in Ex. 20. The chapter begins with the death of Miriam, his sister. Then, there was no water, and the people began to regale Moses with complaints and accusations. God tells Moses what to do, but he is hurt, grieving, defensive and angry. Instead of speaking to the rock as instructed, he strikes. And is barred from entering the Promised Land as a result.

But not so Christ.

His disciples are attacked and accused for plucking grain on the Sabbath as they walked through a field. He heals a man with a withered hand only to have the Pharisees go out to conspire His destruction. He heals even more people and then cast the spirit out of a demonized man, only to be accused of acting by the power of Satan. He is asked to perform a sign like a trained seal to satisfy His detractors. And now, He is surrounded by a crowd, and (as Mark 3 records) His unbelieving Mother and brothers thought He had lost His mind.

And how does He respond to all this – with incredible, gracious words – “Here are my mother and my brothers.” Those who do the will of God.

Note second how the Believer’s bond to Christ is greater even than that of His natural family. When Paul had to warn Timothy (1 Tim. 1) of the danger of those inquiring into genealogies – as though there is some spiritual gain to be had by virtue of those we are related to in the flesh – Jesus here wipes that notion away for good. And yet how many today think their soul’s security rests in Godly parents or grandparents, without having any attachment to Christ personally through faith. It is a wicked and deadly myth.

Many years ago I worked for a time in a funeral home. On more than one occasion I had someone tell me their deceased relative was assured a shorter time in Purgatory if not a place in Heaven itself because of the family members they had who were priests, nuns or other high-ranking clerics. What a dreadful deception.

Note thirdly that it is those who actually do the will of the Father in Heaven who are Jesus’ kin – not mere professors. As Prov. 20:6 reads: “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” Those who are truly faithful to the living God are those who are Jesus’ true brothers and sisters. We live in a day and age where people imagine they are whatever they pronounce themselves to be – no matter how ridiculous or detached from reality. But it is not so in the kingdom of God. Only those authentically born again of the Spirit are part of the family of God.

Note lastly and most importantly – transcendently – what it means to be Christ’s. That we, as He taught us to pray, may begin with the most highly privileged words in all the cosmos “our Father.” That in Him, we approach the throne of grace as boldly as Jesus Himself – for by faith we are truly His brothers, and true children of God.

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Hallelujah!

Hint to preachers: Men, this passage will PREACH!

From Matthew 12:43-45 / The Myth of Moral Reformation

At first blush, one wonders what Jesus’ words here have to do with what just came before. But upon examination, the connection is apparent. The Pharisees had attacked Jesus’ work of freeing a demonized man as the work of the Devil, though they knew right well such could not be the case. They struck at the heart of His ministry – manifesting the power of the Holy Spirit. Now Jesus turns the tables. All the Pharisees can offer, is external rites, rituals and laws. They can regulate outward behaviors, but have no power to change the heart. And so Jesus’ exposes the utter failure of naked religion. Even Judaism. It has no power to transform.

Note then that mere moral reformation is a hopeless fraud. And even if there is religious reformation, if the Holy Spirit does not come to dwell, nothing at all is done – and in fact, one may even be the worse. Having been rid of one plague inwardly, apart from the Spirit’s indwelling, deeper, darker plagues of self-deceit now reinforced by mere religion keep the lost bound even more than before.

Now there is no greater testimony to this than Jesus’ cleansing the Temple area two times. The first time is recorded in John 2, at the very beginning of His ministry. The second is found in Matt. 21, just prior to His passion. Though the Son of Man Himself forge a whip and drive out the money changers, though the entire corrupt religious system be exposed and effectively dismantled – if there is no change in the hearts of those men – things will revert and be even worse than before.

Note then, that even sound Christian doctrine will not give us a sound and righteous society. If it was only a space of less than 3 years between Jesus’ two cleansings before the Jews reverted, then what chance does any external reformation stand of remaining? The answer is none. No, the answer is – worse.

History tells us that the 1st and 2nd “Great Awakenings” had a profound impact in northeastern United States. But what do the statistics tell us now? That the northeast and specifically New England, is the most Gospel resistant region of the U.S.

While there were countless genuine conversions during those eras, and as a result sweeping societal reforms – if not sustained by truly regenerate people – we go from a merely unconverted populace, to one that is actually Gospel resistant.

We can see the same now in England after the unparalleled ministries and results of that legion of Victorian lions of the Gospel like C.H. Spurgeon, Joseph Parker, J.C. Ryle, Alexander Whyte, R.W. Dale, Alexander Maclaren, and a host of others. Or consider the Continent and the heart of the Protestant Reformation. What of Germany, France, Switzerland, etc? Are these still bastions of Biblical truth? No, they are much worse. Though the unclean spirit of the age be gone out for a time, in due time, it will return with a vengeance – if the Holy Spirit does not take its place in men’s hearts.

And so it is, that Jesus prophesies here, that after He is gone, and having brought the light of the Kingdom to bear in the darkness of His day – “so it will be with this evil generation.” And barely 40 years later, the Temple and what little light was left was swept away in judgment.

Note then that the import of Jesus’ words in John 3 comes home to us with renewed power: “You MUST be born again.” “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

No amount of religion or moral reformation can save any society. Only the power of the Gospel can have any lasting impact. And what a privilege we have then in our day – to still have time to announce the good news of the Gospel. And for the Spirit to work – not in cleaning up men’s actions – but transforming their souls.

From Matthew 12:33-37 / Careless Words

There is little doubt this section is tied to Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in the verses above.

Note first that Jesus is reiterating a principle He previously articulated in Ch. 7. What we said there also applies here: That the most common misunderstanding of the simile comes from an idea which in fact does not exist – that there is some sort of generic “tree” (which people are), and that this tree can produce either good fruit or bad or corrupt fruit. But this is not true either in the simile nor is it His thought. The comparison in 7 is between fruit trees, and thorn bushes. The same idea is present here. The issue is one of ontology. One wouldn’t expect a pear from a thorn bush under ANY conditions, nature. His point isn’t about what people do or do not do nakedly, but what people are or are not.

While this admonition certainly can be taken in the broad sense, it is particularly here aimed at making pronouncements and judgments regarding men and their actions – and being judged as either good or bad. We must be exceedingly careful here, not to justify the wicked, nor to condemn the innocent. Our tendency to rush to judgment carries with it very great consequences.

We need to become new creatures. We come into this world thorn bushes. And we need to be transformed into fruit trees. Something which can only be done by His amazing grace and power. It cannot be done by the mere reformation of actions.

And here, the fruit of His good works testify to who and what He is, even as the lying and denigrating words of the Pharisees reveal their hearts. Due to their nature, they are incapable of speaking true good as regards Him.

Note second that this principle is universally true: Out of the abundance of the heart, that’s what makes its way into our communications. And it is a sobering thought to contemplate. What is the predominating content of our own words, and the tenor in which they are spoken? It is a searching question indeed.

Alistair Begg relates an incident once of when he was driving. Frustrated by other drivers making poor moves, not stepping on the gas after the light turned green etc., he was in the confines of his car making all sorts of negative comments about the other drivers. When all of a sudden he heard from the back seat by his young son “and there’s another kind word from your pastor.”

In a time when the anonymity of the keyboard gives us permission to comment and post on almost everything and anything – we need to examine what it is the abundance of our words reveals. Proverbs 8:13 says: “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” And 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”

Our speech patterns are vitally important. We dare not overlook them.

Note thirdly, that this principle is so important, that Jesus can say “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Now He is not speaking here of justification in the salvific sense. Rather, the idea is that hypocrites will eventually be revealed. And one of the sure criteria of what gives testimony as to whether or not we have changed hearts, will be the examination of what we have spent our time talking about. Indeed, His use of the word “careless” in vs. 36 must not be overlooked. It refers to what is idle and ultimately useless. Useless. If the main characteristic of our discourse in life is nothing but useless matter – what will we say in the last day?

But here then is the wonder of our Christ revealed as well. Luke 4:22 tells us how the crowds marveled “at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth.” His gracious speech was so profoundly evident, that people marveled at it. What must that have been like?

No wonder then Peter said to Him “you have the words of eternal life.”

Oh, may we be noted for the same.

In Acts 4, in the aftermath of having been examined by the Jewish leadership, by virtue of Peter and John’s boldness and speech, “they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Does our speech betray the same thing? Oh Holy Spirit, make it so in my life.

From Matthew 12:22-32 / Un-pardoned, not unpardonable.

Whether or not this event occurred at the very same time in the synagogue as the one before it, the text is not clear on. What is clear, is that Jesus was so openly manifesting His Sonship and the Kingdom, that it would take an active refusal to disbelieve the obvious. And this is precisely what took place.

In the process, we are confronted with a most startling pronouncement in vss. 31-32.

Before we get there, there are several other things to take notice of.

Note first then the Pharisees charge against Jesus to be acting out of the power of Satan, and His response.

Some things do not need deep, theological answers – they are stupid on the surface, nonsensical. Jesus doesn’t need to go deep with their charge against Him here, He simply needs to point out that their reasoning is illogical.

But when we (or others) have an agenda or a point of view, it is often the case that we will not let common sense or logic get in the way of pursuing our course. Here, they were so opposed to Jesus, it didn’t matter to them if their argument was so obviously ridiculous. If Satan casts out Satan, what possible advantage would that be to him? Nonsense!

They would accuse Him anyway. But Jesus doesn’t go into a long discourse on demonology. He dismisses their charge out of hand as patently ridiculous.

Note too that even Christians can fall into this same behavior if we are not careful. God’s purposes and reasoning are never nonsense. There are times when His logic soars high above ours – but it is never obviously stupid. And if it is stupid, like so many of the so-called prophecies and foolishness making the rounds in Evangelicalism today – don’t waste your time formulating detailed responses – just reject it and walk away. It distracts us from seeking first the kingdom of Christ and His righteousness.

Jesus points to another obvious fallacy in their charge when He points to the evident continuation of His work in the Disciples. Who are these “sons” who also cast out demons? Jesus’ disciples. They who will testify that the power they have received is not from Satan, but authority grated to them by Jesus. Will they accuse the whole lot of working by the power of Beelzebul when so many were obviously delivered from bondage?

Note Jesus’ statement in vs. 30 that those who are not with Him are against Him. In another place, He’ll say something quite different – that those who are not against Him, are with Him. (Luke 9:49-50)

Hint to preachers: Seeing how those two fit together would make a useful sermon, incorporating a similar seeming dichotomy in Proverbs 26:4-5.

The statement in vs. 30 is not one of proximity, but of relationship. If any are not “with” Jesus in the breaking in of and advancing His Kingdom – they are His enemies. He is out to destroy the works of the Devil. To live apart from His kingship, is to remain allied with the Rebellion. If we will not side with Him, then we WILL be vanquished by Him. There are only two sides in this battle, and none are neutral.

Note lastly Jesus’ terrifying statement in 31-32. This refers to what is commonly, but errantly labeled the “unpardonable sin.” In error I believe, because the text does not say the sin cited cannot be forgiven, but that God has determined He will not forgive it.

Now the issue here deserves much thought, study and prayer. Many a sad Christian with a tender conscience has feared they may have committed such a sin, and lived in a tortured but unnecessary condition. The great hymnist William Cowper is a prime example. But the issue here is not mere blasphemy. If it were, we could never read Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:13 “though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.”

Here is where the difference between Paul and those Jesus is confronting must be recognized. Paul blasphemed in “unbelief.” They, apparently, know full well this is the finger of God, but are so opposed to Jesus and losing their authority, that they will deny what they know to be true about Him in order to take people off from trusting Him. This, God says, He will not forgive.

It is the Holy Spirit’s mission to testify to Jesus. To purposely obscure or deny that witness, is to place oneself in eternal jeopardy. Revelation 19:10 – “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

I believe John MacArthur phrases it something like this: To knowingly ascribe the works of the Holy Spirit through Jesus, to the Devil – so as to turn people away from faith in Christ.

JM will go on to argue that such a thing could only have taken place during the incarnation, and as such, none can commit that sin today. For Jesus is not here, performing miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit for us to knowingly deny. It was unique to that place and time.

Hint to preachers: It is good, when preaching narrative passages, to demonstrate why we do not take unique events and try to make them normative in the Church for all places, all people and at all times. To fail to reckon with the unique time of the incarnation is to over-apply some passages which cannot and should not be made normative in the Church today.

When all is said and done, in this passage, we have the most undeniable revelation of Christ, His person, power and authority. We have supplied to us a most wonderful testimony to set our hearts on as sure and incontrovertible. What a glorious Savior He is. For He crushes all the powers of darkness with but a word.