IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Jesus Rebukes His Generation

Date: May. 20, 2021

Passage

Matthew 12:38-50

The Sign of Jonah

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.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

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.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

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.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 12:39

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.

1. An adulterous generation (38-45)

The religious leaders continued to persecute Jesus by demanding a miraculous sign. Jesus had performed many signs, but they wanted one just for themselves. Jesus warned them that sign-seeking comes from a wicked an adulterous heart-a heart that turns from God when its selfish desires are not met. Jesus said he would give only the sign of Jonah, meaning his own death and resurrection. This is the sign everyone must repent and believe in. The Pharisees' prideful efforts at self-righteousness would make their spiritual condition worse at the end than at the beginning.

2. Jesus' true mother and brothers (46-50)

Once, as Jesus was teaching, his mother and brothers came to see him, thinking they had a special right of access to Jesus. Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach something wonderful: Whoever does the will of our heavenly Father is a member of Jesus' family.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not have an adulterous heart, but hold on to Jesus' cross. Make me a member of Jesus' family.

One Word: Hold on to Jesus' death and resurrection.

Daily Bread

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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