March 10, 2024
Matthew 12:43–50

Title: We are serving somebody.

February 18th we studied Matthew 12:22–37. In that passage, a group of Pharisees demanded a sign that Jesus was who who said He was; seemingly ignoring what Jesus had already done. But before this, in reply to the people’s positive response to Jesus’ miracles, the Pharisees charged that Jesus was casting out demons, that had made people blind and mute, of using demonic power to do the healing miracles. The Pharisees said in verse 24, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, [a reference to Satan which means the “lord of dung”] that this man casts out demons.” Jesus explained the impossibility of this idea in His reply and we pick up this morning on His further comments starting in verse 43 of our text this morning.

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

• Some basic tenants:
• Unclean spirits (or demons) seem to prefer drier climates.
• Unclean spirits seem to find rest in people.
• Unclean spirits seem to desire to congregate.

Before we take a closer look at what Jesus taught let’s take a moment to consider what I believe to be a mistaken interpretation.

• Carson and others believe that if one is neutral to Christ, demonic forces are—by default—at work inside a person’s being. (Carson, “Matthew,” 298; cr. Blomberg, Matthew, 207)
• In other words, a person’s being is filled with Jesus or he will be filed with a demonic being or beings.
• The problem with this view is that there is time—in Jesus’ illustration—where there is no demon possession of the person.
• So I believe this interpretation if off.

I start here then with the secondary truth we can draw from this passage: how demonic possession works in individuals.

• Jesus taught that at least some are possessed by a demon and may be freed from such a one. It also teaches that the same person can be possessed by even more demons afterwards, making the condition of the person worst.

ILLUSTRATION

• We see this in everyday life. Drug addiction, deliverance and re-addiction.
• We see this is true in many other evil addictions and behaviors as well.

We shouldn’t forget that Jesus’ primary application here was to explain the demonic possession happening in the lives of His rejectors. >>

• The application rigidly only applies to the religious leaders who—at first—mildly rejected Jesus, but were now accusing that Jesus’ power was derived from “The lord of dung” and began plotting His murder. They were—at this point—aligning themselves with demonic beings with their ideas of murder.
• It seems that verse 45 explains that most of the Jews’ religious leaders in Jesus’ generation would soon be worst off than they were before; further away from God than before; allied further with forces of darkness than before.
• Though their behavior would be partially controlled by demonic forces, they would erroneously call their behavior holy.

OUR APPLICATION:

• Firstly, we need a caution here: building too much theology here regarding the demonic world is unwise. >>
  • It’s easy to go too far and start elaborating where there is no biblical evidence. >>
  • There is not a tremendous amount of source material in the NT regarding demons’ influence and their limitations. Like all theology categories, demonology should remain inside the guardrails of Scripture.

TOPICAL SECTION

• Many Christians believe—including myself—that Jesus’ teaching here may give implied evidence that demons cannot possess a believer. (cr. Constable)
• With that said, demons obviously can afflict believers greatly. “Believers are no more immune against attack from Satan, and his demons, than they are against attacks from the world and the flesh.” (Constable)
• We too experience great and powerful spiritual decline when we open doors of darkness. COMMENT
• Let’s look at some Bible verses that point to some theology that we need to keep in mind.
• 1 Corinthians 10:18-21, “Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (Emphasis mine.)
  • Unbelievers think they are worshiping one being but in actuality are worshiping demons instead.
  • Ignorant believers can be a participant with demons. (I.e., helping demons reach their goals.)
• Ephesians 6:10-20, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [#1] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [#2] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Emphasis mine.)
  • Believers can be vulnerable the plans of the devil.
  • The Church is constantly wrestling forces of darkness.
• 1 Timothy 1:18-20, This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this [good warfare], some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (Emphasis mine.)
  • The Church is engaged with spiritual warfare.
  • When good warfare is rejected, faith is shipwrecked.
  • If we are not fighting well against ungodliness we open ourselves up to ruining our faith walk.
  • Hymenaeus and Alexander thought they were doing the right thing, but Paul said, because they stopped fighting the right warfare they were to experience what Satan’s plans were for them.
• James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (Emphasis mine.)
  • Christian can engage in demonic thinking. Comment
  • This demonic thinking is marked by "jealousy and selfish ambition. These produce disorder and vile practices.
  • Wisdom that is not demonic is described: pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. It produces a harvest of righteousness.

CONCLUSION

• When a Christian yields to evil, one will find demonic forces ready and equipped to drive the willing past their desires.
• Evil is never in a stagnated state. It is always taking more life and making death.
• We participate in God’s kingdom when we live according to the Spirit in love and faith.
• We participate in the demonic kingdom when we do not live according to the Spirit in love and faith.

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Commentators are divided when it comes to Jesus’ teaching regarding His physical family here.

• Some see this passage as “A very subtle form of opposition arose from Jesus’ physical family members.” (Constable)
• I and others see this as a “rebuke” of Jesus’ earthly family. (cr. Blomberg, Matthew, 208)
• What we can agree on is that we definitely see the prioritization of our spiritual family here—our forever family.

This is a tough truth for most Christians: the de-prioritization of unbelieving, physical family. This seems to be outside of almost all Christians’ will and therefore reach.

• Surely, it’s difficult to prioritize the way Jesus did here.
• Commentators not immune here. I believe many comment this truth away. >>
• That’s why we get comments like Constable’s, He said quote: “Jesus’ question did not depreciate His physical mother and brothers. His answer showed that He simply gave priority to His heavenly Father and doing His will (cf. 10:37).”
• I guess saying these physical people are not my family doesn’t depreciate anyone. (Tongue in cheek.)

When looking at other texts that speak to this event it is easy to conclude correctly.

• Mark 3:20-21, "Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.’”
• John 7:5, Clearly states that Jesus’ brothers were not believers. It reads, “For not even his brothers believed in him.”
• At this point in Jesus’ ministry, His family is against Him too. We know that James, Jesus’ half-brother, will go on to become a prominent leader in the Church, but at this point, Jesus’ brothers—at least—are unbelievers.
• Remember from Matthew 10:34-36, Jesus came to divide physical families. Relationships with our spiritual brothers and sisters will endure. Physical relations between unbelieving brothers and sisters will not endure. Those relationship will not even come to mind one day.
• Our forever family endures.

To be in the family of God means one will do what God wants. Verse 50 is the identify character of the family members: "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

• France said it best: "The emphasis … is not on intellectual assent [meaning agreement] but on practical obedience; … it is the test of the reality of a relationship with Jesus. (France, The Gospel According…, 215) >>
• God’s children may be identified because they obey God.
• We are reminded from Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

APPLICATION FOR TODAY

• With Jesus’ emphasis on the spiritual family in mind, Blomberg commented “the Christian community seems scandalous in comparison.” (Blomberg, Matthew, 209)
• We can’t get along well. It is the ongoing, paramount black-mark against the Church indeed and in Christian families!
• It’s important to note: after this passage, the disciples are the only ones recognized as family in the accounts of the gospel. (Carson, “Matthew,” 299)
• Spiritual, forever family members were Jesus’ priority. These relationships far outweighed His physical, unbelieving family.
• Let’s remember what Jesus said to the would be disciple: Matthew 8:21-22, Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
• “The section closes with Jesus, rejected by most of ‘this generation’ surrounded by the select group of the true family of his Father in heaven.” (France, The Gospel According…, 215)

Notes

Notes from above may not be in numerical order.

¹

Works Cited

Scripture quotations [unless otherwise noted] are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Click here to access the works cited web-page for this document, save those marked as “Notes” or “Other Works Cited”–if any. Most of these cited works correspond to the verses they are outlined with. In the case of general background information and references, one will find cited material with the Bible books the citations are associated with. ¶ Furthermore, there may be numbered notes that are URL linked; these are usually retained numbered notes from Thomas Constable’s, “Dr. Constable’s Expository (Bible Study) Notes.” These links are preserved “as is” at the time of this work’s formation and I usually include other citation information from Constable as well (e.g. authors’ names).

Other Works Cited

Note: All of the resources below were cited in at least one of the sermons in the Book of Matthew but not necessarily this one.

Augsburger, David. Dissident Discipleship. Brazos Press, 2006.

Barclay, William. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible. Westminster Press, 1955-1960. Sourced digitally from studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html.

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. New American Commentary, vol. 22, ed. David S. Dockery, et al., Broadman Press, 1992. May be sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/matthew0000blom

________. Preaching the Parables: From Responsible Interpretation to Powerful Proclamation. Baker Academic, 2004. Sourced from archive.org.
(https://archive.org/details/preachingparable0000blom/page/82/mode/1up)

Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Training of the Twelve. Ed., A.C. Armstrong and Son, reprint 1984, Kregel Publications, 1971 edition.

Carson, D. A. “Matthew.” The Expositors Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein, Ed. et al., Zondervan, 1984.

_______. The Sermon on the Mount : an Evangelical of Matthew 5-7 Exposition. 1978, Baker Book House, fifth printing, 1989. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/sermononmounteva0000cars/page/54/mode/1up

_______. When Jesus confronts the world : an exposition of Matthew 8-10. Originally published by Inter-Varsity Press in 1988, Paternoster, 1995. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/whenjesusconfron0000cars/page/n3/mode/1up

Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. Our Daily Bread Publishing, web ver.

France, R. T. The Gospel According to Matthew. Gen. Ed. Leon Morris, W. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1985.

_______. The Gospel of Matthew. W. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2007. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/gospelofmatthew0000fran/page/n6/mode/1up

Gibson, J. Monro. “St. Matthew.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary. William R. Nicoll, Editor. Sourced from Bible Portal. Click here for a list of the authors of the EBC.

Harrington, Daniel J . The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina Series, vol. 1, A Michael Glazier Book, Liturgical Press (publ.), 1991. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/gospelofmatthew0000harr/mode/1up

Hendriksen, William. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. Baker Book House, 1984.

Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospels: John. Loizeaux Brothers, 1988.

Plumptre, E. H. “Matthew.” Commentary for English Readers, Charles John Ellicott, Compiler/Editor, Lord Bishop of Gloucester Cassell and Company, Limited, 1905. Sourced from BiblePortal.com. Click here for a list of the authors of the CER.

Robinson, Monte. The Way of Discipleship. Independently published, 2021. Web, aimdiscipleship.org/book.html, accessed Oct 2023.

Wiersbe, Warren. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. 2 Volumes, David C. Cook, 2007.

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Zondervan, 1995.

2.1