Our text also pictures some who were not a party to the slander but who also did not side with Christ. It says they testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. They act as though they were ready to decide for Christ; only one thing is lacking. Christ should do a sign just like Moses who caused bread to rain from heave, or like Joshua who commanded the sun and moon to stand still. But what does Christ say? He says He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. We see that they do not beling in Christ’s kingdom but in the devil’s; they so to say wish to be neutral in the war between Christ and the world; who do not want to spoil it for themselves with Christ or with the world; they do not wish to make a complete break with their Old Adam or with God; in short, they straddle the fence.

They also wish to be Christians; but they say, that they still have this or that which hinders them from doing their full Christian duty. They want to be considered a Christian brother, but when they see that Christians are busy in behalf of God’s kingdom and against Satan’s in a completely different way than they are, they say that that is uncalled for, fanaticism, enthusiasm; one must accomodate oneself to the times; one must be wise and prudent; it is often better to be silent and give in a bit than to rage, rashing bring Christ’s enemies down on one’s neck, and plunge into an impractical battle; one does best if one goes the middle way, now and then go to church and communion, but then as much as possible keep to oneself.

But what is the true cause of this conduct? It so happens that all such without suspecting it belong in the devil’s kingdom; he does not permit them to see that fundamentally they are still enemies of the cross of Christ, enemies of his disgrace, his Word, his kingdom, His Church, his believers. The devil holds them captive in his net; they do his will. He deceives them most shamefully. God says: Either completely mine or not at all; leave the devil completely and join Christ, that is the way to do it. The devil, on the other hand, gladly permits his subjects to be a half-Christian, be somewhat pious, do this or that good work; for then he has them the more securely in his power. Such half-Christians are the most unfortunate of all of the devil’s subjects, because they are secure; they suppose that they lack nothing; they are going the correct middle road, and they therefore always live in the delusion that they are members of Christ’s kingdom. But they go to hell with their imagined faith, while often even Christians suppose that they died to go to eternal life in yonder world, and faithful pastor have even comforted them on their very deathbed.

How great the devil’s kingdom is in the very midst of Christendom; in it belong not only all unbelievers and servants of sin but also all hypocrites, all who are not really serious about their piety, all who still have no new heart born through the Holy Ghost, all who do not wish to be fools for Christ’s sake, in short, all who do not want to side with Christ in everything. Christ clearly says, He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. His kingdom is only a small, despised, scarcely noticed little flock; but the devil’s is the great respected multitude, for everything which is great, high, wise, noble, brave, upright in the eyes of the world belongs to this hostile kingdom.

C.F.W. Walther, Gospel Postil for Lent 3, p. 120-121