IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Greater Than Jonah

Date: May. 20, 2026

Passage

Matthew 12:38-50

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 12:50

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

In their attempt to put Jesus through more tests, the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked for more signs (38). Although signs led many to believe in Jesus (23), the Pharisees’ motive was not to seek truth but to rebel against the work of the Holy Spirit (28).

Jesus called them ‘a wicked and adulterous generation’, for their stubborn hearts against the truth revealed through Jesus. The notorious Ninevites repented sincerely at Jonah’s preaching without any signs. The queen of the south came to hear Solomon’s teaching out of her thirst for the truth. However, the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ time kept their hearts hard toward the gospel even as the Messiah lived among them, walking the walk and teaching them the secrets of heaven. As they had inherited spiritual blessings, they were expected to produce more fruit (Lk 12:48).

Your family or social background can give you a special connection to the Savior Lord Jesus. Only those who put their faith in Jesus and carry out the will of God would be honored to be called the family of Jesus (50).

Prayer: Father, thank you for showing us the sign of your love, power, and authority through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. I put my faith in you. Please help me to live to do your will.

One Word: Signs of Jesus

Daily Bread

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Matthew 13:44-58

Key Verse: 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

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