Opposition Through Popular Expectations Mt. 12:29-32
Mt. 12: 29-32
29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
A woman stood in the crowd and watched our Lord first cast out the dumb spirit. She was overwhelmed with His powers and ability. She moved the attention from what to do with Jesus to His family and His mother. Probably not knowing she was fulfilling the words spoken by Mary, while visiting her cousin Elizabeth: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed." (Luke 1:46-48.)
The woman in the crowd in essence said, "You have brought great honor and blessing to your mother, for if she could see you at this moment she would be so proud!" Jesus responded with a rebuke: "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. And my mother is blessed, but it is because she is willing to follow God and obey Him. And all who hear the word of God and observe it will be equally blessed."
There are lots of ways Christ was opposed; such as treating Him as a good son instead of the Son of God. It's okay never to talk about politics and religion because it can lead into an argument, so the subject of salvation is diverted in a polite and acceptable manner to avoid argument and Satan keeps people from truth. If people can keep Jesus as the carpenter's son and how your mother must be very proud, then you won't have to look at your need to change before the Almighty. If I can talk about church, it's problems, its blessing, it's members and its pastors instead of Christ, I don't have to look at my own soul. People can change the subject of what to do with Jesus. They will do it all the time. Maybe they aren't ready, but many times it is an excuse to deal with the most important question - “What are you going to do with Jesus?” He will not be ignored.
There is another group of people who are also opposed to Him. They wanted to see more miracles. They wanted to see Him do something spectacular. That is still the draw for many. Some churches look for spectacular manifestations all the time.
Opposition comes by people’s expectations. What others think and say influences us more than we wish it would. God knows we need fellowship. He made us that way. It is extremely difficult to be a Christian in Sudan, Israel, Egypt, and Middle East because all your relatives, friends, co-workers, and students will apply pressure on you to keep you from following Christ. When you become a follow of Jesus it is important to have mutual support and friends who will pray for you, correct you, encourage you and one another. Bible study, prayer groups, Sunday School, and youth groups, are important to follow Biblical principles. Are we sticking with the Word of God or is the pressure of one another influencing us another way?
Friends, I give this warning; The older any ,congregation is the more likely it is to move to traditions instead of the Word of God that gives ultimate direction. The more we like the fellowship the temptation is stronger to let the influence of friends determine our practices instead of the Bible. The longer a preacher is at a church the more the people are likely to take his word instead of God's word. The more power a leader has, the more he is tempted to run the church. We all need the Scriptures as our guide. Encourage one another by it, preach and teach it, and hold one another accountable by it.
We are seeing more Christian couples living together outside of marriage. Does culture affect the church or does the truth of God's Word affect the culture through the church?
When people wanted Jesus to do more miracles and give a show, Jesus pointed to the real issues at hand. Just like Jonah was the sign to Nineveh preaching repentance, so Jesus will call for repentance. Some people today are still more enamored with the signs than with Jesus Christ.
When the Lord cast out the demon causing a man to be mute was set free to speak for the first time in years; the crowd marveled at Jesus’ power as they always did, but none believed in Him as the Christ of God. They were amazed, but their hearts were not changed.
The risen Lord and Messiah Jesus Christ is the last sign and if that sign is rejected, then will come the final judgment. Opposition does come through public expectations, which can damn us.
