Good morning,
Who is watching you?
I just got a magazine this week that had a very good question on the front page that said WHO IS WATCHING YOU? Given the reality of what people can do these days with so many people having I-phones and other digital equipment, we are beginning to wonder if we have any privacy left anymore. Then the Lord reminded me of some verses that deal with the same problem for Jesus and the rest of us. In Matthew 22 Jesus was surrounded by needy people and religious people who came to see Jesus for very different reasons. The sick were there, and Jesus was healing those who asked. The Pharisees came because they hated Jesus and they were looking for proof that would let them kill Jesus. After Jesus healed a man who was blind and couldn’t talk, these religious haters said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”(v.24) It never occurred to these self righteous people that Satan was also known as the accuser.(Zech.1:3) Jesus then responded to them as a historian as well as a judge. The creator of heaven and earth had been watching sinful people for thousands of years, so that what he said was perfectly true. “Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A city or home divided against itself is doomed.(v.25) Isn’t it true that at this time in history thoughtful people anywhere in the world are seeing this happen as we watch our governments and our families fall apart right in front of us. The Accuser loves to watch people hate and destroy one another.
Then Jesus spoke to them, and us, as the Judge of all human beings. Jesus said, But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.(v.28) Jesus is the judge of all those who have been given life and each of us will find ourselves face to face with him in His Kingdom. As our Judge, Jesus gives us some of the basic guidelines for being excepted by him in order for us to spend eternity in His family. For example, Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.(v.30) God standard for us requires us to be helping him to carry out his plan for each of our lives rather than require God to give us what we want for our lives, our way. If we really think that Jesus is the wicked one in our world and that we are determined that we have every right to hate him and fight against him, then Jesus said, Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.(v.32) Then Jesus made it quite clear how we would be able to tell where we are. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.(v.35) So Jesus told the people who hated him while he lived here on earth, You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.(v.34) And then he tells us something that we must never forget. And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.(v.36) Then he had something more to say that gives God’s genuine family a sense of joy and excitement. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”(36) Wicked people will get the judgment that they deserve but those of us who are following his directions for his benefit and glory, will be rewarded and justified for ever.
Matthew 22:30 Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
Roy Wisner
