Jesus counters unbelief from the crowds in the first portion of our text (11:14-23) where men have the audacity to say essentially that He is the son of Satan rather than the Son of God. Jesus counters this blatant unbelief by teaching them the importance of a regenerated and believing heart through the work of the Holy Spirit (11:24-28). The crowds also ask for a sign and he tells them that the only sign that will be given will be the sign of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba (11:29-32).
The important implication of this passage for all people is that no one can remain neutral with regard to their opinion about Jesus. He is either the Lord of heaven and earth, the only hope of salvation sent from the one and living God, or he is of the devil because he was a liar and false prophet.
All who hear Jesus and witness his revelation (in person or through the Scriptures) must recognize him through faith as the Lord that he is- -or be opposed to him and his Kingdom purposes with only judgment to anticipate in the future. At the end of the passage, the teachers of Israel (the visible church of Jesus' time) are “lying in wait” to catch Jesus saying something that they could use against him in order to rid the world of him (11:53-54). As the Kingdom looms nearer Jerusalem in the Person and Work of Christ, so the controversy and opposition against it (HIM!) increases (11:29-54).
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Rev. Charles R. Biggs, Th.M. is the Regional Home Missionary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of the Mid Atlantic (Virginia and Maryland). His website: www.joiningtheharvest.org. He was pastor of Ketoctin Covenant Presbyterian Church in Purcellville, VA. for...
