Character of Jesus 23

The Character of Jesus 23

Accusations by the Pharisees

Matthew 12:38 – 50, Mark 3:31 – 35, 8:11 – 12, Luke 8:19 – 21, 11:24 – 36

Mindsets Out of Step

• Characteristic:  Surfacing hidden assumptions
  • Following the Matthew account with these additions:
    • Luke 11:27 – 28 contains a statement by a woman in the crowd concerning how proud Mary must be.  Jesus raised the bar above parental pride to a spiritual outlook.
    • Mark 8:11 adds the detail that the crowd requested a sign “from heaven.”
  • (38 – 42)  Signs
    • Notes:
      • In that day, signs from heaven were events not through the godly messenger.  Healing, it was supposed, passed through the miracle worker.  No Scripture addresses this.  Rather, it is an artificial distinction.
      • “Three days and three nights.”  This was a standard expression of the day.  The same author described the crucifixion on Friday and the resurrection on Sunday.  No one in that day complained that this was a contradiction or a missed prediction.
      • Although not referenced here, the Spirit descending from heaven and resting on Jesus was a sign from heaven that was announced by John (John 1:22 – 34).
      • Jesus had cited Isaiah and Jesus’ own healings as proof earlier, in response to the question of John’s disciples (Matthew 11:2 – 6).
      • We get the evidence we get.  We do not control it, rather God does.  So, we have no cause to make such demands.
    •  (39)  Jesus satisfied their misguided request, but included that it was from an “evil and adulterous” heart (focused on the world instead of God).
    • (41)  Jesus cited the example of Nineveh, who repented in response to less.
    • (42)  Jesus cited the example of the queen of Sheba, who travelled a great distance to witness Solomon’s wisdom.  The Israelites were not seeking; rather God came to them.
  • (43 – 45)  More than just cleaning up your act
    • The audience relied on the assumption that all God wanted was for them to clean up their act.
    • Unless the heart is back-filled, the evil will come back, worse.
  • (46 – 50)  More than family loyalty
    • (Luke 11:27 – 28)  The woman used, “Above the cares of this life.”  Her assumption was that noteworthy children were the basis for a successful life.  Jesus responded that responding to God was greater.
    • (50)  For many, loyalty to physical family is greater than to spiritual family.  This is backwards.
• Applications of hidden assumptions today:
  • Some find the evidence for the accuracy of the Bible deficient because they cannot find direct evidence of specific events.  Rather, we get the evidence we get and evaluate from there.  A few examples:
    • Outside evidence for the resurrection
    • No known geographic or historical inaccuracies.
    • The consistency of the apostles despite physical hardship and working independently of each other.
    • Consistently predicting the future.  The predictions can be shown to pre-date the accomplishments.
  • This evidence demands a verdict.  The claims are huge; it is not like buying a car.
  • It’s a lot more than just cleaning up your act, which is guaranteed to fail.
  • Spiritual connectedness is the goal; physical family is the illustration.  Don’t get stuck on the illustration.  Further, marriage and kids are not the goal, just one path.
  • We need to address hidden assumptions or the other person will never get past them.