Here Are My Mother and My Brothers

Matthew 12:22-50
Key verse 12:49

Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.”

Introduction

In this passage, we see that there are two groups of people in this world: those who are with Jesus and those who are not; those who are Jesus' family and those who are not; there is the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Some people may try to find a middle way or a neutral position, but in the end they will find themselves as captives of war. This passage encourages us to make a clear decision to live as disciples of Jesus and do the will of God.

1. Read verses 22-23. What do you think the demon-possessed man's life was like before he was brought to Jesus? Why do you think the people asked, "Could this be the Son of David?"

The demon-possessed man could not talk or see. His spiritual problem made him severely physically disabled. As a result, he was completely dependent on others for everything. The only thing he could do was listen to what others said about him.

They thought that Jesus might be the king. The Son of David was the king that God promised to send. Jesus came as a the conquering Prince, to destroy the kingdom of Satan--just as God promised. 

2. Read verses 24-29. Why do you think the Pharisees declared, "it is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons"?  How did Jesus' response show the irrationality of the Pharisees' thoughts? What does Jesus' ability to drive out demons show about him? (vs. 28-29)

They came up with the opposite conclusion from what the people thought. They did not even ask a question--they confidently asserted this as a fact. They came up with this conclusion because they were determined to discredit Jesus by any means.

Jesus pointed out that their claim didn't make sense. A kingdom, city, or household that fights against itself will be ruined. This principle applies to the spiritual world as well.

The fact that Jesus drove out demons with authority shows that he was working against Satan. It shows that the kingdom of God has come. Jesus, the Son of David, is leading the victory over the devil and forcefully expanding the kingdom of God. This work is done through the Spirit of God.

3. Read verses 30-37. What was the real reason the Pharisees slandered Jesus? (30) Why was their sin so terrible that they would not be forgiven? (31-32)  The Pharisees looked like the most righteous people around, but Jesus says they were "evil." How did they reveal their true nature? (33-35) Why does God pay careful attention to "careless" words? (36-37)

They were Jesus' enemies. They were set against him. How did they get there? At first, they simply refused to become disciples of Jesus, but they quickly became his enemies. 

The Holy Spirit works to bring people to faith and repentance so that they would be saved from God's judgment. How can those who reject the Holy Spirit find forgiveness of sins? Even worse, those who slander the work of the Holy Spirit are opposing God's salvation work and hindering others from being saved. Moreover, those who slandered Jesus might have done so in ignorance--not recognizing who he is--but those who saw the work of the Holy Spirit could not claim ignorance, since they clearly saw the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit to bring salvation. The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is something exactly the work of Satan, and those who do so are acting as Satan's soldiers.

Their words exposed what was in their hearts.

We carelessly say many things and don't pay much attention to what we said. These words, however, reveal what is in our hearts, and that is why God pays attention to even our careless words. Just as we will be held accountable for what we do, we will also be held accountable before God for what we say, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." When a word comes out of the mouth, it's like an arrow being shot out. It can't be taken back.
[note: I've noticed that I very often carelessly talk about others and let complaints come out of my mouth. I think that many of us do the same. One church member told me that more than fifty percent of his conversations with others in the church have to do with problems or complaints. I realize that I need to learn to say words that glorify God.] 

4. Read verses 38-42. According to Jesus, why did the Pharisees and teachers of the law ask him for a miraculous sign? (39)  What sign does God give us? (39-40) On what basis did the people of Nineveh repent? (see Jonah 3:4-5) On what basis did the Queen of the South glorify God? (1 Kings 10:1-9) What warning do we find here?

People don't want to repent, so they ask for a sign. Many people never ask for a sign until they are challenged to repent and change their ways. Then, suddenly, they want God to give them something to see.

But the sign we have is the gospel. 

The people of Nineveh did not see a sign, but they believed Jonah's message of judgment. They knew in their hearts that they were sinning against God. The Holy Spirit was convicting them of their sins, but they resisted the Spirit. When Jonah came, however, it was like a damn was breached, and the truth of God's coming judgment flooded the city, bringing sincere repentance.

She came a long distance because she heard of Solomon's wisdom from God. She did not see any signs, but on the basis of what she heard and the evidence of the work of God through Solomon, she believed.

God has given us the evidence we need to repent of our sins. He gives us the gospel message, which convicts us of our sins and shows us the way of salvation. His Spirit is at work, convicting us of sin and testifying to the truth of the gospel. God also sends his servants and speaks through them, providing the testimony we need to believe and repent. The true source of our unbelief and unrepentance is that we don't want to give up our sinful lives, so we need to remember the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South.

5. Read verses 43-45. How do you think the man who was set free from the power of an evil spirit might end up worse than he was at first? What could a man do to prevent this from happening?

Jesus healed a man by driving out an evil spirit that made him mute and blind. This man's heart has become like a house that has been cleaned out and set in order. However, if the house remains empty, it is only a matter of time before the evil spirit returns, with friends, to occupy the house again.

The house should be occupied by the Holy Spirit. The man needs to accept Jesus as his Savior and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This shows how necessary it is to make a clear decision to be with Jesus. Those who stay in the middle will eventually find them captives of war. Notice that evil spirits will take people as prisoners and make them slaves, but God does not do this--God gives us a choice. God knocks on the door of our hearts, but we must open and let him in.

6. Read verses 46-50. Why do you think Jesus' mother and brothers wanted to talk to him? What does Jesus' response show about his identity and attitude toward God? Who does Jesus regard as his family members? What can we learn from this in light of the entire passage?

They thought that Jesus was going overboard. He spent all his time teaching and preaching; he sometimes skipped meals. Jesus' mother and brothers thought that he was out of his mind and they wanted to take care of him. Their concern was genuine, but they didn't understand Jesus. 

Jesus' response shows that he if firmly, completely, and unquestionably on his Father's side.

Jesus said, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Jesus' response sounds harsh, but Jesus said this in love. He wanted his mother and brothers to make a clear decision to commit their lives to doing the will of God--even above human family connections.

This passage challenges us to make a clear decision to stand with Jesus and do the will of our Father in heaven and so live as Jesus' family members.

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