38Then some of the Pharisees ...

38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."

39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

- P66

43"When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

44Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.

45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

- P67

The religious leaders demand a sign to validate Jesus’ authority even though they have already witnessed many miracles from Him. Because their hearts are hardened, no display of power will move them to genuine faith. Jesus points them to the ultimate sign: His death and resurrection. This will be the definitive proof of His identity as the Son of God. - P68

True faith is not built on spectacular experiences but on the Person and work of Christ. When our hearts are open, the simple truth of the gospel is transformative. When our hearts are hardened, however, we cannot see the value of any of Jesus’ miracles. We must pray for ourselves and others to have hearts that are receptive to God’s truth. - P68

While Jesus is still speaking to the crowds, He receives word that His moth-er and brothers want to speak with Him. Instead of going out to meetthem, He uses this moment to teach a lesson about true belonging. Jesus isnot rejecting His earthly family; rather, He is expanding the understandingof what it means to be part of God‘s family. Obedience to the will of theFather is the true mark of kinship with Jesus.  - P68

Our relationship with Christtakes precedence over all human ties. Through faith in Jesus and obedienceto God‘s Word, we become His brothers and sisters-members of Hiseternal family. God desires that our relationship with Him takes precedenceover all others. - P68

Sometimes our prayers sound more like demands. In these situations, wemay have something that we really desire, and so we pray persistently with-out any sense of surrendering our wants to God. This does not mean thatwe should never be persistent in prayer. God does want us to seek Him inall things, and 1 Thessalonians mentions that it is good to "pray continually... for this is God‘s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:17-18). How-ever, we should always be aware of our heart posture when we are seekingthe Lord in prayer. Would we be content if His answer to our continuousprayer was "no," "wait," or "not yet"? Or is our way of praying reminiscentof the heart behind the Pharisees‘ words in today‘s passage as they demand-ed of Jesus, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you" (Matt. 12:38)?
- P69

We should reflect on whether the heart behind our persistence is a desire tocontrol the outcome of what God does in our lives or whether we trust Godto answer our prayers in a way that will be for our good and for His glory.
If you find, upon further introspection, that the heart behind your prayerlife is more reflective of the former, ask God to mold your heart to becomeone of persistent surrender to the goodness of His will. - P69

Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family through Jesus Christ. Help me to live each day in obedience to Your will. - P69

May my relationship with You take first place in all I do, and may I love others as members of Your household of faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P69

31And so I tell you, every ki...

31And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

- P63

Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who could neither see nor speak. The crowd begins to question whether Jesus could be the Messiah while the Pharisees accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the power of the devil. Jesus refutes their accusation and proclaims that the kingdom of God has now come. - P64

Jesus’ act of healing the blind and mute man showed not only compassion but a confrontation: Jesus came to restore what sin had corrupted since humanity’s fall and evil had to flee before His kingdom; the Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus could not stop the advance of His reign. And today, the kingdom of God continues to advance as Jesus gives freedom from sin’s reign to all who trust Him. - P64

In response to the Pharisees‘ words, Jesus teaches that just as the quality ofa tree is known by its fruit, the contents of a person‘s heart are known bywhat their mouth speaks. A good person speaks good things out of the goodstored in them and an evil person speaks evil things out of the evil stored inthem.  - P64

Jesus warns that everyone will have to give account before God forthe words they have spoken. Our speech exposes what our hearts are fullof Careless words reflect sin while gracious words reflect a heart shaped byGod‘s Spirit. When Christ is on the throne of our hearts, our speech reflectsHis life-giving, truthful, and full of grace. - P64

Father, may my speech bear witness before others that my heart and life have been changed. Help me to show the difference that being indwelt by Your Holy Spirit has in my life. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P65

6I tell you that something gr...

6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

7If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,

10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?

- P57

12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

- P58

As Jesus walks through grainfields one Sabbath day, His hungry disciples pick some grains and eat them. The Pharisees condemn the disciples because according to them, picking grains on the Sabbath is work, and working on the Sabbath is unlawful. Using examples from Scripture, Jesus shows the Pharisees that their rules for what can or cannot be done on the Sabbath are missing the point; He reveals that showing mercy is more valuable to God than rituals. - P60

However, this does not mean we should stop "rituals" like our Sunday gatherings. But as we do them, let us remember that God expects more from us than a worship service: He wants us to show His mercy by loving others and attending to their needs. - P60

In 1 Samuel 15, God ordered King Saul to destroy the Amalekites com-pletely. But Saul disobeyed God and spared the Amalekite king and the bestof their animals. Saul tried to excuse his behavior by saying he just wantedto offer the animals to God as a sacrifice, but eventually confessed it wasbecause he was afraid of dipleasing his men. The prophet Samuel informedSaul that God does not need anything and that He desires obedience aboveeverything else. - P61

Dear God, Your Word and Your works reflect Your merciful character. Help me to honor Your desire for me to reflect such character. Forgive me for the times I neglect to understand and do what is important to You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P61

20Then Jesus began to denounc...

20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

- P52

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

- P54

When Jesus addresses the ongoing sin in the towns He visits, He boldly proclaims God‘s inevitable judgment upon unrepentant sinners. His messageis apocalyptic and terrifying. Jesus also praises the Father and affirms Hisrelationship to God as His Son.  - P54

God‘s people have the opportunity to knowthe Father and the Son, Jesus beckons all who are weary and burdened tocome to Him and learn from Him, knowing that He is gentle and humblein heart. All of us can be weary and burdened at times, but when we goto Jesus, we are assured that we will find rest for our souls.  - P54

The question isnot whether Jesus will invite us into His peace but whether we will acceptHis loving offer. - P54

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving rest to our souls. Help us to serve You withjoyful and humble hearts. Teach us to follow Your example of gentlenessand humility each day. In Your name, amen. - P55

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.2 (영문판)

2When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples

3to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"

4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

- P46

Jesus sends off His disciples and goes to preach in the towns of Galilee. Johnthe Baptist, who is in prison, sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if He is the Oneto come. Jesus points to His works of healing and preaching as an answer.
He then praises John as being the messenger sent before the Messiah andrebukes those who reject both John and Himself. - P47

While John the Baptist is in prison, he sends his disciples to confirm whether Jesus is the true Messiah. Rather than directly affirming His messiahship, Jesus offers proof through His ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the Good News is being proclaimed to the poor. - P48

John may feel discouraged in prison, but he can be strengthened by the testimonies of what his disciples have seen and heard Jesus do. This is encouraging for believers who are struggling today: Our faith can be strengthened as we seek Jesus and see what He has done both in Scripture and from the testimonies of fellow believers who have been blessed through encounters with Him. - P48

Many have failed to recognize the true identity of John the Baptist andJesus. They judge both harshly, saying that John has a demon and Jesus isa glutton and drunkard who is friends with sinners. However, Jesus shareswith the crowd who John the Baptist really is.  - P48

Those who are willing tolisten will recognize that John is the prophesied Elijah who has come toprepare the way for the Messiah. Yet Jesus also says that the person who isleast in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. We are blessed to bemembers of the new covenant by grace through faith.  - P-1

We, too, have theprivilege of proclaiming Jesus, testifying about Him more clearly than Johnever could. - P48

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can always turn to You when I face discouragement and doubt. Help me overcome my unbelief and remind me of the Good News of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, amen. - P48