Reading Matthew 12:38–42 and Sermon Setup

Once again, we see the spiritual blindness and hostility of the Pharisees. These religious men are so puffed up with their own righteousness that they would demand signs from the Son of God Himself. They cry, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign!”—as if Christ had not already healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. Their hearts werehardened, like Pharaoh’s, who saw the mighty hand of God and yet still refused to repent.You will not, and indeed cannot, believe in that which you hate.