Demons, Discerning / Judging, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Miracles, Satan, Wickedness / Evil

“Anyone Who Isn’t With Me Opposes Me” – Jesus

There is much to explore with Jesus in Matthew 12:22-37 including His power over Satan and Satan’s demons, His ability to heal, the willingness of many to see the truth about Jesus from the evidence they witness and the rejection of Jesus by those who are evil regardless of the evidence presented to them.

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,[d] the prince of demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Let’s review a couple key points:

  • Jesus heals a demon possessed man who is blind, cannot speak. Those who are unbiased in their view observe the evidence and immediately consider it as pointing toward Jesus as Messiah. Even those with evil in their heart cannot deny that the miracle happened or that a demon was cast out and the man healed. Instead, they make up a wild explanation to continue their pre-existing bias against Jesus. They refuse to see.
  • Jesus takes the time to clearly show the wicked why their argument against Him makes no sense, despite knowing they will ultimately reject Him anyway. He tells them the truth and gives them the opportunity to turn toward Him.
  • This demonstration of the power of God to cast out a demon demonstrates also that God has power over Satan.
  • Jesus reminds us that there is no neutral position, no quiet position “sitting on the fence”. “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” [Matthew 12:30]. We must each decide if we are working with Jesus or we are working against Him. It requires more than quietly acknowledging Him with our lips and then refusing to speak out against sin and speak up for God’s way. It requires living boldly for Jesus and proclaiming Him loudly – even in the face of persecution.Jesus speaks of the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. There can be some Christian debate on to what exactly Jesus is referring. One likely conclusion is that Jesus is speaking of the Pharisees experiencing an undeniable miracle of the Holy Spirit, and consciously choosing to reject this evidence and instead attribute the event to power from Satan.  There are examples of others, like Saul of Tarsus who later became Paul, who rejected the Holy Spirit at first and then accepted it later. Thus we conclude it is not a one time rejection, but rather a continuous and willful rejection of the Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus uses the wickedness of the Pharisees as an example for us to understand how to use discernment to evaluate the wickedness of someone’s heart. We are to identify or judge a tree by its fruit. While we should do so carefully and with grace, we are given direct example from Jesus that we are to use discernment to identify the wicked / evil. By discerning properly, we will be better prepared to tune out the false teaching of the evil and focus on proper teaching and leadership of the righteous.
  • Continuing, Jesus reminds us that we are accountable for our words, that they represent an overflow of the condition of the heart, and are very powerful and at times can be either helpful or destructive.

There is a lot of important teaching to dwell on in this small amount of scripture. I encourage each of you to read it again and think about how to apply each part to your life to grow closer to Jesus.

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Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Miracles, Prophecy

Jesus Fulfills The Prophecy Of Isaiah

Matthew 12:15-21 clearly states that Jesus was God’s chosen servant about which Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 42. This scripture, along with many others, demonstrate the continuity of the Old Testament history of God and His people with the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament points forward to Jesus. Jesus fulfills prophecy and the law; He does not abolish or replace it. It is important to study and know both the Old and New Testaments.

15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
    He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not fight or shout
    or raise his voice in public.
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”

While Jesus’ earthly ministry changes our relationship with God with forgiveness through the grace of Christ and His death on the cross, God is still unchanging and the Old Testament continues to be a rich source of information about how we relate to God and how He relates to us as His people. It shows us much about what He likes and despises. It gives us much wisdom about how to live our lives in a way that makes our lives better and honors God at the same time.

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Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Peace / Rest

Jesus Confronts Pharisees Regarding Sabbath

Jesus confronts the Pharisees regarding the law and Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-14. Jesus reminds us that He is Lord over the Sabbath and desires mercy and love to be demonstrated  more than a legalistic execution of the law regarding Sabbath.

12 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”

3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[a] 8 For the Son of Man[b] is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

Jesus does not dismiss the Sabbath as no longer relevant… in fact, Jesus recognized the importance of Sabbath throughout His earthly ministry. However, He clearly demonstrates that it is not to be treated as a legalistic, but rather to be celebrated with mercy and love. “Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

Perhaps most disappointing, we see the hard hearts of the Pharisees. They have already decided that Jesus is not God and refuse to see the clear evidence, even as He heals yet another person right in front of them. Instead of recognizing His miracles as proof He is God, or even celebrating with the man who was healed, they are already plotting to trap and kill Jesus. There are many in the world like this today.

Observing or celebrating Sabbath is not required for salvation… that comes through grace alone by accepting Jesus Christ as lord and savior. But Jesus Himself reminds us that Sabbath was made to meet the needs of the people.  We should take heed that it is important and has great potential to benefit us as God’s people.

[Mark 2:27] 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

I have found it very enriching for my relationship with family and with God to celebrate Sabbath every week. I encourage you to consider the same for your life.

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Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Suffering / Adversity

Experiencing Grief in Death

Jesus has much to say to encourage us when someone who loved and accepted Jesus as lord and savior dies and we are experiencing the grief and sadness of the loss.

[John 14:1-6] 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[John 11:24-27] 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”

25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

Whether it is looking ahead to our own death or dealing with the death of those around us, the God provides much encouragement through the Biblical text for those who accept Jesus as lord of their lives and accept His offer of salvation through grace. God has made a way to forgive our sins and reconcile us to God. We have much to look forward to in life with God after we die to this world. This does not mean we will not mourn for the loss of a loved one or perhaps for our own pending death in case of known illness, etc. It is okay to mourn, but we mourn and then seek comfort and courage in Christ to live for Him while our time remains.

We are also reminded, however, that those who reject or refuse to accept Jesus as lord and savior receive what they chose… an eternity apart from God after they die. God is gracious and gives us until the very end of our lives to accept forgiveness through Jesus. Unfortunately, none of us are promised a tomorrow. We must accept Jesus while there is time and share the good news with those we love (and others) while they still have a chance to accept Him.

If we miss the chance to help lead someone we love to Jesus, or if they reject Him despite our efforts and they die we certainly have reason to mourn. Mourn and turn closer to God to help you through the difficult times. Seek comfort in the love of Jesus Christ.

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Archaeology

The Bible Is An Historically Accurate Record – Pools

1 Comment

Many try to discredit the Bible by claiming it is historically inaccurate and thus cannot be trusted. On the other hand, I have found it very encouraging as a Christian to read about and study example after example of archaeological evidence that continues to prove the Bible is an historically accurate document that can be trusted with great confidence.

I encourage you to click through to read a bit about the two examples listed here or browse others from the site.

For those who think we have found all the evidence there is… the Pool of Siloam was found in 2005. I am sure there is more to find and am excited to study and learn more when God reveals it. In the meanwhile, I enjoy periodically learning more about the evidence already found, but often not shared widely even amongst Christians.

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Love, Peace / Rest, Righteousness / Serving God, Share the Good News, Sin

Our Lives Should Be A Witness to God

Genesis 21:22-34 provides witness to the fact that when we truly walk with God as the top priority in our lives, people notice. To honor God is not a secret thing we do in private. The Bible tells us to proclaim Jesus as lord publicly.

22 About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. “God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,” Abimelech said. 23 “Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.”

24 Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.

26 “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.”

27 Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty. 28 But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. 29 Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”

30 Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.” 31 Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

32 After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines. 33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.[d] 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.

This scripture also reminds us not to hate others because they may not share our faith in God. We love all God’s people, but reject their sin. Abraham was able to get along fine in a foreign land without hiding the fact that He served God.

There are exceptions where we must defend ourselves, but in this case Abraham was able to handle himself in a way that he did not have to fight. He was able to conduct business peacefully without violence and without denying or hiding his faith in God.

As Christians, we are called to love people so much that we tell them the truth of the gospel. Sometimes they respond harshly to us, but we continue because we follow the example of Christ and we want to help save whomever will accept the truth. We are not call to hate or persecute others, but we must never accept or normalize their sin as a way of making peace. Accepting and normalizing sin leads people farther and farther away from God.

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Character of God, Consequences of Sin, Family, Hearing from God, Marriage, Obeying God, Parenting

Abraham Seeks God For Family Troubles

Genesis 21:8-21 reminds us that there are real, tangible consequences of our mistakes but also shows us how God can help us through these difficulties.

Ishmael was the result of a poor choice made by Sarah and Abraham in an effort to “help God” fulfill His promise to provide generations of offspring through Abraham.

8 When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion. 9 But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac.[b] 10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”

11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. 12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. 13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”

14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. 16 Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards[c] away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears.

17 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.”

19 Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer, 21 and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.

The mistake of Abraham having a child with Hagar, who was not his wife, had very tangible consequences for all involved. Sarah and Hagar developed division and bitterness toward one another. Abraham was forced to deal with division within his household that was very destructive and Ishmael was caught up in the middle of it all.

When Abraham was faced with solving this challenging problem, he turned to God. God, in His grace, gave specific guidance for resolution. We can have debate about what we would have told Abraham to do, but there is no debating that Abraham turned to God, God answered, and Abraham immediately obeyed.

God told Abraham that He would take care of Ishmael and He did. God also reached out to Hagar when she was crying out in need in order to comfort and encourage her and to fulfill His commitment to Abraham.

We should be encouraged that we can turn to God for help even in personal struggles or conflict within our family. He cares about each of us that much. However, when He provides a clear answer for how to resolve it… we should follow His instruction quickly.

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Character of God, Children, Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Forgiveness, Obeying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Thankfulness

The Lord Keeps His Word

In Genesis 21:1-7 we witness God beginning to fulfill His promise to Abraham that his descendants would be countless. God did not change His mind even after Abraham and Sarah made mistakes regarding this promise. They first looked to adopting one of Abraham’s servants as heir and then to Abraham having a child through Hagar, Sarah’s maid servant. There are consequences to their mistakes, but God still fulfills His promise.

21 The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter.[a] All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”

Abraham and Sarah clearly found great joy in Isaac. Having a child was very important to them, especially after desiring one for so long. Sarah gave credit to God. She did not explain away the miracle as so many people today are tempted to do.

God has much grace for those of us who choose to follow Him wholeheartedly, albeit imperfectly. What a wonderful God we serve!

When you experience God’s miracles and promises in your life, give glory and honor to God. Do not explain it away as happening without God. Please share your testimonies with us or read those shared by others at the Testimonies section of www.HearingFromJesus.org.  Let your story encourage others!

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Character of God, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Peace / Rest, Prayer, Thankfulness

Thank God For Doing It His Way

In Matthew 11:25-30, Jesus teaches us to thank God for how He decided to do things. Jesus also highlights what can often be a confusing point for many… that no one truly knows God except those to whom He reveals Himself.

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

All too often in prayer we come to God to ask Him to do something differently. Jesus reminds us to thank God for doing things the way it is pleasing to Him. This demonstrates a lot of trust in God, even when we do not understand why He does something a certain way.

The second point Jesus makes about God choosing to reveal Himself to some, but implying not to others is difficult to fully digest for many. Studying all of scripture we see that both God and each individual have a role in building the relationship that ultimately draws us to God and to salvation through Jesus Christ.

I believe God was purposeful in putting the first two points together in one prayer in scripture. When we struggle to understand fully why God does something a certain way, He instructs us to trust that God has reasons for doing so and it is pleasing to Him. His ways are above our ways and we are unable to fully understand His perspective.

Jesus also invites us to come to Him when we are weary from suffering and “carrying heavy burdens”. He will help us. In particular, I have experienced many of the burdens I was bearing become lighter by growing closer to Jesus Christ. The more I understand what is truly important… advancing the kingdom of Go and serving Him… the less I am burdened by earthly concerns.

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Anger (unrighteous anger), Bitterness / Resentment, Consequences of Sin, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Heaven and Hell, Justice / Judgment, Suffering / Adversity, Wickedness / Evil

Harsh Judgment Awaits Those Who Reject Christ

Jesus speaks about the judgment of unbelievers in Matthew 11:20-24. He indicates that there are different levels of judgment in hell as He elsewhere in scripture indicates about heaven as well. He refers to the wicked people of Tire and Sidon being “better off” on judgment day than those of other cities like Korazin and Bethsaida where Jesus personally performed many of His miracles.

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.[a] For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”

For those to whom He clearly reveals Himself as God, there is a higher punishment when they reject Him. Those of us who are exposed to the gospel in our country or in our churches will have no explanation other than outright rejection of God if we refuse to listen and hear Him. Judgment will be harsh.

Do not let anger or bitterness separate you from God. Do not let suffering in this world separate you from God, but rather let those things draw you closer to Him as you seek comfort and protection.

Each of us will come before God and face judgment. None of us is promised a tomorrow in which to get right with God. We must seize the moment in time that God has given us and seek Him wholeheartedly now, repenting from our sinful and selfish behaviors and choices and following Jesus.

To delay to risk living a pointless and selfish life now and eternity separated from God in hell.

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