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Jesus was a different kind of king. Rather than announcing His arrival with trumpets & trying to impress the influential, King Jesus was gentle & just, caring for the weak & needy, the One whom the prophet wrote, "In his name the nations will put their hope."

YOU could never commit blasphemy of the Holy Spirit like Jesus talked about. Therefore, NOTHING you have done is UNFORGIVABLE.  

BIG TRUTH: If you’re still breathing, there’s still HOPE. 

Jesus made the incredible claim that He is Greater than anyone or anything, the greatest prophet, priest, or king - the greatest man or woman…ever. And then He proved it. Is it any wonder that the faith family of Jesus trusts Him and follows Him?

Jesus really isn’t talking about TREES, but about PEOPLE. Jesus compares the claims of the Pharisees (tree) to the fruit they produce. And the fruit is NOT GOOD. Jesus calls them a brood of vipers - referring to a dozen or more small snakes the emerge from their eggs/mothers, to grow and ambush it’s prey.  

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. What we SAY, shows what’s down in our soul. 

• Dirty language, dirty jokes, speaking unkindly to or about others, speaking lies - shows what’s ‘down in the well’ of hearts.
• Clean language, clean jokes, speaking kindly and truthfully to and about others - shows what the soul looks like.
• What do the words of the Godly people you know say about their hearts? What about the words of hypocritical or ungodly people you know - what do their words say about their hearts?

Our words don’t determine our eternal home (heaven or hell), but our words DO show WHOSE WE ARE - followers of Jesus or not.

• Notice that grumbling, faultfinding, boasting, and flattering is all done with defiant words.
• Followers of Jesus should be known for responding to Jesus with obedient words, being thankful & encouraging others, speaking humbly & truthfully. 
• What we SAY, shows what’s down in our soul.

Jesus hadn’t given enough convincing proofs already? No other signs will convince them, which is why Jesus calls them a wicked and adulterous generation. There is only one sign that Jesus will show - a future sign which could only be denied by those who refused to believe the evidence - the sign of Jonah. 

• Just as Jonah was delivered from the fish, Jesus - the Son of Man - would be delivered from the grave.

Most scholars say the phrase, “three days and three nights was a Jewish idiom referring to any part of 3 Jewish days (even if it’s just one hour).

When the people of Nineveh listened to the preaching of Jonah (with no miraculous signs) and heard the warning of judgment, they repented of their sins.

Jesus demonstrated much convincing evidence of His authority. Yet, despite the powerful preaching and multitude of miracles of Jesus, many who heard and saw Jesus did not repent of their sin.

Jesus demonstrated much convincing evidence of His authority. Yet, despite the powerful preaching and multitude of miracles of Jesus, many who heard and saw Jesus did not repent of their sin. Jesus rising from the dead would prove that He was greater than Jonah. Yet many from this generation would still refuse to repent. 

The Queen of Sheba (SE of Israel in lower Arabia) traveled some 1,200 miles including crossing the Arabian Desert to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, the wisest king who ever lived. Her caravan of camels brought treasures of spices, vast amounts of gold, and precious stones - as gifts to honor the wisdom of King Solomon (2 Chr 9:1-12). 

Jesus claims that now something greater than Solomon is here. Who would have made that claim and been able to back it up? 

Jesus is greater than any prophet (like Jonah), priest (like those who served in the temple), or king (like King David or King Solomon)!

• Many Jews did NOT respond to Jesus in repentance, like the pagan Ninevites responded to Jonah.
• Many Jews did NOT seek & listen to the wisdom of Jesus as the pagan Queen of Sheba had done with Solomon.
• Many Jews lived clean lives by following rabbinical rules, instead of turning from their sin and trusting Jesus.

The number seven, typically a symbol for perfection OR completion, probably represents complete domination by demons. But Jesus isn’t talking as much about demonic possession of people as He is drawing a picture of those who seemed to live clean lives (e.g. Pharisees), but refused to allow their soul to be filled by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. 

This is exactly what the Pharisees were encouraging the people to do, sweep your house, put it in order, follow the biblical laws and the rabbinical rules, but DON’T allow your house to be occupied by Jesus, this false messiah. 

Those who followed the Pharisees would be held accountable for rejecting their Messiah who came to make them CLEAN. Instead, they would live like they were clean - right with God - even though they weren’t. Their religious self-righteousness left them in a condition that was worse than the first, thinking they are clean, when they weren’t.

Jesus warns this wicked generation of the judgment they will face in the future for rejecting their Jewish Messiah.

Mark’s gospel gives us some insight that Matthew doesn't mention.

Two of these brothers (James & Jude) later became followers of Jesus, believing Him to be the Messiah.

Jesus didn’t put his own family in a place of prominence. Instead, he told needy people around Him that THEY could be His family! 

• While Jesus certainly loved his family and His mother, He NEVER told His followers to seek their help in prayer. If you’ve been told to seek Mary’s help in prayer - this is FALSE. That is NEVER, EVER taught by Jesus, nor His apostles, & is not found in the Scriptures. 

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching?
2. Read Matthew 12:33-37 & Jude14-16. While many church folks are quick to call out sexual sin, theft, and such, why is it that few people talk about what comes out of our mouths as seriously? What do our words say about our heart condition? Does it scare you to give an account for what you say on the day of judgment?
3. Read Matthew 12:38-42. What “sign” was Jesus saying would later occur to prove His authority? Discuss and compare how the Ninevites responded to Jonah’s message, how the Queen of the South responded to King Solomon, and how the Jewish people responded to Jesus. 
4. Read Matthew 12:43-45. Why was Jesus using this demonic illustration as a picture of what was happening with the people He referred to as “the wicked generation”? Have you ever known someone who lived such a good life that they did not see their need to repent of sin and turn to Jesus? If so, tell us the story (without using names if known to your family/group).
5. Read Matthew 12:46-50. While our families should be our first ministry, how should followers of Jesus view/treat other Christians? Share about some Christian brothers/sisters who are dear to you and why.
6. What does God want YOU to do with what we studied today? 
7. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.