Matthew 12:38-41

Read Matthew 12:38-41

Helpful Background Information:  

• Matthew 5-7 are the chapters called “The Sermon on the Mount” where Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, the Golden Rule, and so much more! In chapters 8-9 Jesus starts doing miracles, healing people and showing his power over nature. In chapter 10, Jesus calls his 12 disciples. Up until chapter 12, Jesus lays the groundwork of what his mission on Earth is to be and invites others into relationship with him. 

• When we get to our passage in chapter 12, the Pharisees ask to see a sign from Jesus, testing him and seeming to forget all the signs and healings Jesus had already done. This was a constant theme for the Pharisees; testing and trying to trap Jesus for breaking Jewish laws.

• When Jonah went to Nineveh (a group of people who were Gentiles) and told them to repent, they did. When Jesus told the Jewish people to repent, they didn’t. Jonah was in the belly of a big fish for 3 days so that the people of Nineveh would know the message was from God. Jesus was dead for 3 days so that the people would know that his message and himself was from God for the current generation.
  

Reflection Questions: 

• What was the difference between how Jonah shared that judgement was coming versus how Jesus said that judgement was coming? What kind of heart position do we see from each person? Find a verse that supports your answer.

• 3 times in this chapter Jesus says “something greater than (the temple- v. 6/Jonah- v. 41/Solomon- v. 42) is here”. In what ways is Jesus greater than Jonah?

• Why will the men of Nineveh rise up at the time of judgement? What can we do now so that the next generation can also rise up with Jesus?