Subscription Lists

Last week I ended with these words which I repeat because there may someone who needs this reminder and encouragement in this crucial and vital area.

What would happen if the Holy Spirit came down upon those in authority and revealed the reality of what is going in our communities and nations in these current times? That has happened before during times of Revival and Renewal.

There are many people meeting together for prayer with Revival and Renewal and Restoration the focus of their praying. Are you part of one of these praying fellowships? If not, may I suggest you join one this coming week and be alongside those who are pleading with our gracious God for an outpouring of His mercy and grace.

We are reading and studying the second half of Matthew Chapter 12, and the crowds are increasing but alongside people crowding around Jesus Christ, the Son of God, there arises increasing and considerable conflict and controversy from the religious leaders of the day. These two elements are frequently to be observed in parallel. There is an enemy who does not like to see people coming to Jesus Christ and crowding around Jesus Christ for good reasons.

Jesus has given a sign to those who were begging for another sign, for all the wrong reasons, and it is that amazing sign of Jonah and repentance. It is wonderfully reassuring to witness time and time again how Jesus places his authority and imprimatur upon the Scriptures of the Old Testament.

Jesus goes on to say and teach, that on the day of judgement, the Queen of the South, the Queen of Sheba, shall rise up and condemn this generation.

She travelled half-way round the known world at that time to hear Solomon preach the Word of God. Such was her eagerness to meet Solomon. Jesus goes on to say - "A greater than Solomon is with you."

She crossed the world to meet Solomon and hear Solomon preach – yes, with all his weaknesses. Some would not cross the street to hear the Word of God.

Verse 41. Jesus refers to the people of Nineveh, who repented when Jonah finally arrived there to preach, and as Jesus looked around that crowd He saw very few people repenting of their sins.

People would not believe. They would not hear. They would not repent.

Does that sound like today? I understand that in some places, which bear the name Christian, repent and repentance is no longer preached and taught.

Nineveh repented when Jonah preached, and one greater than Jonah is among you.

Jesus had no problem with the life and ministry of Jonah!

Jesus had no questions, and no doubts about that specially prepared fish.

Jesus Christ had no problems with Genesis Chapters 1,2 and no questions over the historicity of Noah and no issues concerning Jonah, or Moses, or any other part of the Old Testament – so why should we!

The presence of Jesus, and the preaching and teaching he gave, caused division and tension. That happens today. We should not become over surprised when we witness negative reactions and responses.

These Pharisees’ lives appeared to be gripped by an alien evil power. As we read on, we see how Jesus would seek to deal with the inconsistency of their argument that he drove out the bad spirit by the power of the evil one.

They were in bondage – in slavery – in captivity. Today, we might call it ‘an addiction’.

Give us a sign, and when Jesus gave them a sign they changed the subject.

Have you ever noticed that, that when you answer one question, people change the subject? This passage is highly relevant and apposite.

Signs do not change circumstances or prove things – consider Pharaoh.

The Pharisees wanted ‘fireworks’ but spiritual ‘fireworks’ prove nothing. Many would so like to see ‘spiritual fireworks’ today, but divine greatness and God’s amazing love and power and grace can be utterly lost on worldly people and people who are determined to remained closed to God but close to the world.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

As Near as Life