In life, we
all probably would have met someone who seems to have experienced a great
transformation in the Lord. Then the next thing we hear about is, that same
person had backslidden. And his/her condition had become worse off than before his/her
transformation. It would have left us bewildered and wondering why. However, for
every case like this, we also know there are scores of people who have had a genuine
transformation that had impacted them for a long time. What Jesus meant to tell
us here is this: a genuine transformation is lasting. It should get
progressively better and not the other way around.
In this
account, Jesus was referring to the nation of Israel and not to any person in
particular. Hence He used the two words “evil generation.” History tells us
that within the nation of Israel herself, there were several attempts by
different groups to bring about reformation to Judaism. Some two centuries
before Jesus came, the temple in Jerusalem was cleansed by some devout Jews
after it was desecrated by a mad Syrian king by the name of Antiochus
Epiphanes. Though the reformation happened, it lasted only less than a century.
Then the age-old problem returned. Israel remained as sinful and compromising
as ever. Then came the Pharisees with their attempt to get at the root of the
problem. They attempted to pressurize the people into law keeping attempt. They
thought it would free Israel from practices influenced by the pagans through
rigorously adhering to the Torah. Then, there was also the group known as the
Essenes that came with their strict ascetic lifestyles. It also happened that before
Christ arrived and in His growing years, King Herod and his family built the
temple in Jerusalem. It was one of the most beautiful building of her time.
Many were hopeful that Yahweh, Israel’s God, whom they thought had abandoned
them, would return and dwell in that monumental temple.
All their
attempts were futile, so said Jesus. For all that had gone before, the revolt against
Antiochus’ desecrated act; the attempt of the Pharisees; the Essenes with their
disciplined life; and Herold’s temple building program, the Jews were still as
empty as ever. Jesus likened them to a demon-possessed man that had been delivered.
But because they remained just as empty, soon that same demon would return and
this time he would come with several others. Jesus wanted them to know that
they were in danger of being “re-possessed.” All the activities suggesting
reformation would amount to nothing, if like a cleansed house, they won’t
invite a new occupant to come and stay in it. The result could be worst because
the exorcised demon would return with several others and reoccupy the house. If
they would not accept Jesus’ Kingdom and His way and acknowledge His rule, they
were, in fact, opened to a greater disaster. Jesus was suggesting that their
activities of violence, aggression and hatred, disguising as obedience to God,
could destroy everything for them. The only impactful and lasting way would be
to repent and acknowledge the King and the way of His Kingdom. If not, a greater
disaster is looming.
What do we take away from this passage?
We need to take a deep look at ourselves to see if our transformation is
genuine. Are we getting progressively and incrementally more stable and mature
in Christ? Let's us seek to see our Lord more clearly, follow Him more nearly
and love Him more dearly!
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