Thoughtful Answers

<p>Introduction</p><p>This series of responses come as a result of Jesus healing a mute person. There were three responses: those who were amazed, those who accused him of being a devil, and those who wanted to test him. </p><p>His response is quite revealing:</p><p>Response #1 to the accusations</p><ol><li>A divided Kingdom will not stand</li><li>If God is at work, then his Kingdom is present</li><li>If you are with me then your house can be cleansed and filled with a new resident!</li></ol><p>Response #2 to those who are amazed</p><ol><li>Rejection of cultural compliments cf. chapter 6</li><li>Points to the Father and his words</li><li>Reminds them of the actions needed to be a part of the family</li></ol><p>Response #3 to those who would test him (hostile though not accusatory)</p><ol><li>As crowd increases, he addresses the issue of testing:</li><li>He has already proven to be a prophet by knowing their thoughts!</li><li>He has already shown a sign by healing the mute man.</li><li>He addresses the fact that they want greater signs</li><li>Sign one: Jonah</li><li>Not the death image of Matthew, but a focus on the great revival in a foreign land</li><li>Compares himself to Jonah</li><li>The acceptance of Gods call to repentance, though Jonah did not expressly share that!</li><li>The need for a major change in attitude and approach to God’s love</li><li>Sign two: Queen of Sheba </li><li>Sought after God’s wisdom with a long Journey!</li><li>Listened to Solomon</li><li>Take part in the judgement!  Both deal with non Jewish people groups! Challenges the thought that they were something special because of their birth!</li><li>Sign three: the good and evil eyes!</li><li>Being filled with the fullness of God removes all darkness on the inside!</li><li>Being generous with all the gifts and resources you have.</li><li>Proverbs 22:9: “He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.”</li><li>Proverbs 23:6,7: “Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks