Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of Jonas) Part 4.
The Pharisees have heard the evidence against them. They have heard of the witnesses that will rise to testify against them. Their fate is sealed. Their destiny foretold. Christ still offers them the opportunity to repent. He still reaches out a hand and opens a door for them to enter into to escape damnation. But they refuse. They cling to their desire for power. They hold to their roles of authority and they listen to the whisperings of the demons that counsel them to their destruction.
Christ tells a parable, his first. He says, "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he roams through dry places in search of rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house which I left'; and when he has come to it, he finds the place unoccupied, swept and decorated."
The unclean spirits have claimed the Pharisees. They own the house. They live in them. They know them. For they have lived with them for many years. And with them they have found rest. Rest, that they can perform the evil that they do. Rest, that they can recruit others to do evil in their names. Rest, that they can challenge any who may come against them to cast them out. For the heart is the resting place for those who do evil. Darkness is the light that they live by. Hatred is the doctrine that they practice against those who would believe in Christ.
And Christ tells the Pharisees this parable of the unclean spirits. He speaks to them in riddles that they may not understand the truth of what he speaks. He speaks to the unclean spirits that lie within them that they may know that he is the Messiah. For the unclean spirits have made their home in the Pharisees. Even when they leave they return and find the home unoccupied, swept and cleaned as if waiting for a new occupant. But they are the owners of the home and no others have come in. The Pharisees had a vacancy. They were without any other spirits. And the Holy Spirit does not reside in them.
Is your house unoccupied, swept and clean, waiting for someone to come in? Will unclean spirits make you their home or will you welcome the Holy Spirit? Do you have a vacancy sign advertising your house or is it already occupied? Christ seeks to come in. He seek to live with you. He seeks to know you. He seeks to love you. But, how can he, if you do not let him in? How can he, if your house is already occupied? There are only two occupants. One does not live with the other. Which do you prefer in your house? Which do you prefer to guide your life? Which do you prefer to counsel with? Which do you prefer to stand with you on the day of judgment when the witnesses are brought before you? Will it be the unclean spirits of Satan? Or will it be the Holy Spirit of Christ? The choice is yours. You cannot stay unoccupied for long for you live in an unclean world and it will take hold of you. Make your choice. Seek the Holy occupant and open the door to Christ.
The Pharisees have heard the evidence against them. They have heard of the witnesses that will rise to testify against them. Their fate is sealed. Their destiny foretold. Christ still offers them the opportunity to repent. He still reaches out a hand and opens a door for them to enter into to escape damnation. But they refuse. They cling to their desire for power. They hold to their roles of authority and they listen to the whisperings of the demons that counsel them to their destruction.
Christ tells a parable, his first. He says, "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he roams through dry places in search of rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house which I left'; and when he has come to it, he finds the place unoccupied, swept and decorated."
The unclean spirits have claimed the Pharisees. They own the house. They live in them. They know them. For they have lived with them for many years. And with them they have found rest. Rest, that they can perform the evil that they do. Rest, that they can recruit others to do evil in their names. Rest, that they can challenge any who may come against them to cast them out. For the heart is the resting place for those who do evil. Darkness is the light that they live by. Hatred is the doctrine that they practice against those who would believe in Christ.
And Christ tells the Pharisees this parable of the unclean spirits. He speaks to them in riddles that they may not understand the truth of what he speaks. He speaks to the unclean spirits that lie within them that they may know that he is the Messiah. For the unclean spirits have made their home in the Pharisees. Even when they leave they return and find the home unoccupied, swept and cleaned as if waiting for a new occupant. But they are the owners of the home and no others have come in. The Pharisees had a vacancy. They were without any other spirits. And the Holy Spirit does not reside in them.
Is your house unoccupied, swept and clean, waiting for someone to come in? Will unclean spirits make you their home or will you welcome the Holy Spirit? Do you have a vacancy sign advertising your house or is it already occupied? Christ seeks to come in. He seek to live with you. He seeks to know you. He seeks to love you. But, how can he, if you do not let him in? How can he, if your house is already occupied? There are only two occupants. One does not live with the other. Which do you prefer in your house? Which do you prefer to guide your life? Which do you prefer to counsel with? Which do you prefer to stand with you on the day of judgment when the witnesses are brought before you? Will it be the unclean spirits of Satan? Or will it be the Holy Spirit of Christ? The choice is yours. You cannot stay unoccupied for long for you live in an unclean world and it will take hold of you. Make your choice. Seek the Holy occupant and open the door to Christ.
