Why is this text so important for us? It warns us against one very dangerous situation. Let us note that, in general, Christ's commandments and the Gospel as a whole can in a certain sense be compared to road signs that...
Why is this text so important for us? It warns us against one very dangerous situation. Let us note that, in general, Christ's commandments and the Gospel as a whole can in a certain sense be compared to road signs that warn of danger: for example, "sharp curve," "slope," or "ice." They really are bright symbols, carefully placed to warn us away from trouble.
What troubles, then, does the text given to us today by the Lord warn us against? There is something here to think about. What does a person experience when he understands that he has come through some temptation with honor? As a rule, he experiences a certain pride; there is no getting around it. And perhaps, to some extent, this is normal. But the question is precisely one of measure, the eternal question of measure: as soon as the measure is exceeded, a crack opens into our inner space, where the place once occupied by sin has not yet had time to be occupied by anything else.
Yes, our victories should be precious to us, but we must not forget the main thing: after Christ conquered, He Himself was conquered, nailed to the Cross, crucified. So we too, after conquering evil in ourselves, are in fact wounded by it, sick with it. And we need to guard our inner space very carefully, as someone going outside after a severe sore throat must wrap his throat well and put on warm socks.
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12:38 We would see a sign - Else we will not believe this. Mat 16:1; Luk 11:16, Luk 11:29.
12:39 An adulterous generation - Whose heart wanders from God, though they profess him to be their husband. Such adulterers are all those who love the world, and all who seek the friendship of it.Seeketh a sign - After all they have had already, which were abundantly sufficient to convince them, had not their hearts been estranged from God, and consequently averse to the truth.The sign of Jonah - Who was herein a type of Christ.
12:40 Three days and three nights - It was customary with the eastern nations to reckon any part of a natural day of twenty - four hours, for the whole day. Accordingly they used to say a thing was done after three or seven days, if it was done on the third or seventh day, from that which was last mentioned. Instances of this may be seen, Ki1 20:29; and in many other places. And as the Hebrews had no word to express a natural day, they used night and day, or day and night for it. So that to say a thing happened after three days and three nights, was with them the very same, as to say, it happened after three days, or on the third day. See Est 4:16; Est 5:1; Gen 7:4, Gen 7:12; Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28. Jon 2:1.
12:42 She came from the uttermost parts of the earth - That part of Arabia from which she came was the uttermost part of the earth that way, being bounded by the sea. Ki1 10:1.
12:43 But how dreadful will be the consequence of their rejecting me? When the unclean spirit goeth out - Not willingly, but being compelled by one that is stronger than he. He walketh - Wanders up and down; through dry places - Barren, dreary, desolate; or places not yet watered with the Gospel: Seeking rest, and findeth none - How can he, while he carries with him his own hell? And is it not the case of his children too? Reader, is it thy case? Luk 11:24.
12:44 Whence he came out - He speaks as if he had come out of his own accord: See his pride! He findeth it empty - of God, of Christ, of his Spirit: Swept - from love, lowliness, meekness, and all the fruits of the Spirit: And garnished - With levity and security: so that there is nothing to keep him out, and much to invite him in.
12:45 Seven other spirits - That is, a great many; a certain number being put for an uncertain: More wicked than himself - Whence it appears, that there are degrees of wickedness among the devils themselves: They enter in and dwell - For ever in him who is forsaken of God. So shall it be to this wicked generation - Yea, and to apostates in all ages.