Some of the Scribes and Pharisees Asked for Heavenly Sign, Matthew 12:38-42

Matthew 12:38-42 (NKJV)
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For 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 in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

During Jesus earthly ministry, He performed countless of miracles, as a sign and proof that He is the Messiah mentioned in the old Testament, yet despite the many miracles the religious leaders at that time still wants a heavenly signs to prove Jesus claim of being the Messiah or Savior.

How ironic, that the religious people at that time, who keep the word of God, who knew all about the coming Messiah didn't believe in Jesus supernatural miracles, the signs and wonders he performed. 

Some of the scribes and Pharisees have seen Jesus performed miracles and heard about His teaching yet they refused to believe.

This is the first instance, that some members of the religious groups (Scribes and Pharisees) demanded a sign to prove that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The second time was mentioned in Matthew 16:1.

God uses miracles as a sign to validate His chosen messenger or prophet.
In the old testament, God sent down fire from heaven that consumed Elijah's offering and altar (1 Kings 18: 36-39). God provided Moses miraculous signs (Plagues) to free the Israelite from the Egyptians (Exodus)

The Apostle Paul in the new testament, performed miraculous sign, when he raised the dead in (Acts 20:7-12)

Jesus knew their heart and motives despite their kind and respectful request, to show them sign from heaven. 
In Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

Jesus used two familiar story from the old testament

Jesus didn't grant their request at that time, but a sign will be given similar to what happened to Jonah.

Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of big fish which was a miracle by God (Jonah 1:17). Jonah was saved from drowning at the sea and also he was redirected to his calling, to preach to the people of Nineveh. It was indeed a great miracle for Jonah to be alive after 3 days in the fish's belly. 

Scientifically you will die inside the stomach of any animals not only for lack of oxygen but the stomach acid that will dissolve even bones.


A similar miracle that from Jonah that Jesus will reveal later on, That is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ "Son of Man", and it will be the greatest sign from heaven.

Jesus died on Friday was buried in a limestone tomb made of rock hewn from the side of a cave, a large underground chamber "heart of the earth", three days after, on Sunday, He rose from the grave.

When the people of Nineveh heard Jonah's warning of their coming destruction they believe Jonah's message and put their faith in God by fasting and praying. When the message brought to the king, he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes, the king also created a decree that all people including animals should fast and pray as well (Jonah 3: 6-7)


People of Nineveh believe in Jonah's message and the God of Israel despite the lack of knowledge and understanding, in comparison with the Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus time, A chosen people by God and have a deep understanding about God in knowledge and practice, and eye witness of Jesus's supernatural miracles, yet didn't believe in Jesus, who is greater than Jonah.

The queen of Sheba from a very far kingdom visited the wisest King in History, Solomon just to hear his words of wisdom. The queen recognizes that Solomon is a great king and his wisdom is a gift of God.

Jesus Christ is King of kings, Lord of lords and Prophet of prophets, He is the source of prophecy and wisdom.

In Application:

1. How many miraculous signs do we need to experience before we believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah or Savior, that the old testament is referring to? 

Every book in the bible, from Genesis to Revelation points to a single theme Jesus Christ finished worked the "Gospel"

Most of the time, we criticized for the things that we actually don't know? Like the bible, the Christians, etc. If we only study and understand scripture then we will see a different truth that the world can't understand. So instead being a critical about the bible, get hands-on, study and research about the bible to know the truth.

I remember a story about a man, who saw a person Snorkeling at the shallow water of the sea. The wondered why waste time looking down at the bottom of the sea? The looker begun to asked questions and the person snorkeling said, "I'm seeing amazing things" pertaining to fish and corals.

The moral of the story, if don't get wet and dive underwater then we will not see the real beauty of the sea, the corals, variety of fish and other marine life. We have to get wet, hands-on, dive or snorkel to see the real beauty of sea.

The same moral we can apply in God's word the bible, if we're only looking at the believer's life, we're just looking at the cover of the bible, the beauty, majesty and power of triune God is revealed if we study and apply it in our lives. 

If we want to experience that, we have get hands-on and not just on-looker.

2. Are the miracles we see daily not enough as a proof that God even exists?

1. The moment we wake up each morning is a genuine and marvelous miracle.

2. The free air that we breath every second, imagine if God will turn it off for a couple of minutes what will happen to us?

3. A single cell from both parents will develop into a baby inside the womb of the mother, such a complex process and perfect timing and order are involved.


4. The earth rotates on its own axis every single second, imagine the earth shift it's axis?

5. Other endless miracles daily....

If you're struggling today with unbelief about some truths of the bible, then pray about it, ask your local pastors, research online resources to help you and encourage to believe in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

Spiritually Immature, Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1-3 
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to [a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this [b]we will do if God permits.

"Bonzai trees are cute, but not in Christian life."

Paul admonished some Hebrew people who were a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ for a long time, yet they lack spiritual maturity. It follows the idea that they've surely mature in their spiritual walk  (In handling the word of God and practice) since they've been a Christian for a long time, and the expectation that they'll be able to handle or teach the word of God.

But instead, the opposite happens, they became stagnant and backward with their spiritual growth that even the basic christian doctrines needs to be repeated over again and thus unfit to handle or teach the word of God.

In a believer's life, spiritual growth is expected, the same with our physical body we experience growth continually, given we are healthy.

In order for Paul to drive home his point, he used the illustration of a natural baby who first drink milk as it is unable to digest solid food, but later in the baby's life it matures and is able to eat solid food as the body needs more nutrients for growth. 

Same is true with our spiritual life, we also need food to grow, and the food for spiritual life is the word of God, Jesus Christ (the word, the bread from heaven).

John 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

Started a baby in the Christian faith, we didn't know about the different teachings and doctrines of the bible (God's word). At first, we only need spiritual milk (basic teachings of the bible) and must progress to eat solid food (advance teachings and doctrines and be able handle the word of God effectively).

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby,

How we can we grow to maturity in our faith?

1. We should not only read the bible but study it!
It should be our desire and zeal to continue learning God's word night and day, mastering the basics and never stops learning and applying the word of God.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Studying the word of God on a daily basis will help us discern better between good and evil.

Acts 17:11 These were more [a]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

2. Food is important for physical growth. Word of God is important for spiritual growth.
Paul's message is not only for us to continue growing in faith, but more importantly the food that makes us grow spiritually, and that is the word of God. 

Jesus Christ puts it above importance over the physical needs.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

3. Maturity in Christianity never stops.
Even if we memorize the whole bible, God can still give fresh revelation, wisdom and knowledge from His word, and it will never run out.

Paul considered to be the greatest theologian, blessed beyond measure with heavenly revelations and wisdom, yet he never claimed to have fully matured in the faith, because he knows that God is an endless source of wisdom and knowledge.

Philippians 3:12-13, 
12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Christians are called to be a discipler, there is a time to be a listener(student), but there should always be a time that Christians will be the talker(teacher).

But every Christian should always be a student of the bible (God's word). 

A Tree Known by Its Fruit, Matthew 12: 33-37

Matthew 12:33-37

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure [b]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Part of Jesus's response to the Pharisees's claim of Him casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.

He gave a perfect illustration of consistency, a good source gives out good results. An analogy, that a good tree bears good fruit else if it's a bad tree it will bear bad fruits. Looking at the kind of fruit the tree bears you will know the condition of it's tree.

Since, the outcome of being set-free from demonic influence is a good thing, Therefore, It is rightful to think that the giver of such miracle of healing is of good nature. 

In verse 35, Jesus pointed out another example about treasures. Our heart is like a treasure box, if we store good treasures then we expect to get good things out of our treasure box.

Jesus the 2nd person of the triune God is the source of goodness, the source of all good things.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Applying the rationally, Jesus actions (fruit) are good, therefore His nature (tree) is also good and He should not be judge to as bad or evil, The Pharisees judged Him contrary to His very nature.

The Pharisees's hearts are evil as their actions and words to Jesus have shown.

Plotting evil things against Jesus by associating His works that of the devil.

Verse 34 Brood[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

John the baptist and Jesus called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers" or "family of vipers", they were pointing out that these men are like vipers (a kind of snake). 

Snakes by nature are cunning and mostly deadly. Snake or serpent in the bible is associated with the devil as seen in the story of the fall of man at the garden of Eden.

The Pharisees at the time of Jesus, were hypocrites (Matthew 23:15); They were blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14); and their hearts were full of murder (John 8:37).

Another details about  "brood of vipers" is seen in Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood[a] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

Farmers usually burn their fields to prepare for the next planting, as the flames rages the snakes comes-out from their dens to escape but eventually burn in the process.

In verse 36, Jesus gives a warning that we should be careful of the words we say against others.

Words are powerful, it can create or destroy life, encourage and cursed.

1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 18:20-21

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

James 3:6-10

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [a]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [b]nature; and it is set on fire by [c]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [d]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

The Bible makes it clear. You will be held accountable for every idle word out of your mouth.

Like any good judge will take note of every word of the testimony, and these very words will have an impact in determining the outcome of case, the judgement depends on every words spoken by the accused, victim and witnesses.

Application:

1.  After the fall of man to sin, our nature was corrupted from good to bad.

On God's perfect judgement, Man's very nature is bad, and it can't expect any good to come out.

But there's a hope, in verse 33, that it is possible to have a good fruit, by making the tree good! and the only way is through Jesus Christ. 

The moment we hear the gospel and respond by believing or accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit, creating a new heart.

This new nature has now the ability to do good things for God's purpose and Glory.

2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

2. Storing good treasures in our hearts by meditating God's word and putting them into practice.

Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Matthew 6:20
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

3. Discerning false teachers and doctrines by the fruits we see. We can by God's word and guidance. 
In this day and age, many will come and perverse the word of God with evil motives and will deceive many, that's why it's very important to study God's word to check teachings and doctrines for error.

1 John 4:1-3
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Matthew 24:24
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

What is God's Will for My Life? 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

A common question you hear to most believers, What is God's will for my life?
The Bible provides us with some general answers to that question, one of it can be found our passage 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

1. Rejoice always.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be joyful in every kind of situation or circumstances. This joy doesn't come from the world like the pleasures of sin mentioned in 
Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [a]passing pleasures of sin,
Rather it that comes from the heart, as part of the gift of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The joy of the world is fleeting, circumstantial and hollow, but the joy of the Lord is abundant, enduring and everlasting 
Isaiah 35:10
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Paul already mentioned a similar passage in the book of Philippians encouraging the believer to always rejoice, pray and be thankful in everything.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And there are lots of reason to rejoice in the Lord.

1. Our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1: 1-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

Romans 5:11
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
        at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

2. Pray without ceasing.
Is being consistent with prayer in any circumstances. We should pray in times of difficulties and in times of abundant and blessings.

3. Everything give thanks.
We should cultivate a heart of gratitude towards God for everything in our life, family, friends, work, school and even our enemies who needs the love of God. 

We should not grumble or be proud of what God has accomplished in our lives.