Matthew 12
-The beginning account in this chapter finds the disciples
hungry on a Sabbath in grainfields, where they decide it to be appropriate to
pick the heads of grain and eat. The Pharisees observed this and began to
question the Christ on matters of the traditional law of the Jews pertaining to
working on the Sabbath. Jesus makes a theological point with them as to who the
Lord of the Sabbath is from the Old Testament Scriptures concerning David and
his episode in the eating the consecrated bread in the House of God (1 Samuel
21:6), as well as the custom of the priests in the Temple. He proclaimed that
something greater than the Temple was amongst them, and then scolded them to
know what it means concerning the fact that God desires “compassion, and not
sacrifice” pertaining to innocence (Hosea 6:6). Then He declared the Son of Man
(referring to Himself) as the “Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8).” He then
proceed to heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath with the point of
doing good is always lawful no matter what day of the week it is (Matthew
12:9-13). At this point the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him for
destruction (Matthew 12:14). *Application*
While we are to honor the Sabbath and keep it a holy, set-apart day for the
LORD, the fact that we can do things out of the ordinary and routine to be a
blessing and take care of essential needs is also acceptable unto the LORD. The
problem with the Pharisees, and can be us as well, was the fact that they had
substituted religious ritual for doing the compassionate work of the Kingdom as
the need presented itself. Do the righteous work of the Savior no matter what
day of the week it is.
-The Pharisees and pious Jews were calling Jesus Beelzebul
(literally lord of the flies, dunghill god) trying to say that He was demonic
and satanic. Jesus knew their thoughts (proof of His deity, wisdom, and
observation skills) and refuted their false claims. A house divided against
itself will fail and fall. It is only by a stronger force, the Strong Man, that
evil is conquered and vanquished. It makes no logical sense for Satan to fight
against his own schemes and devices. Jesus says if He casts out demons by the
Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon them (Matthew 12:28, Luke
11:20). *Application* The Pharisees
and unbelievers will make every excuse not to accept the things of God even
when they are presented in factual and rational form. Keep using wisdom in your
contention for the faith that the Lord by His Spirit will give you even as Christ
had. He will give you the answer to every critic, so don’t ever be anxious
(Luke 12:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:12, Jude 1:3). If they accused Jesus, they will
also accuse you. Prepare in prayer.
-More than once Jesus gives the wicked and adulterous
generation of scribes and Pharisees, who will be condemned at the judgment, a
peak into His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. He compares them with
Gentiles from Nineveh in the North and Sheba in the South, who believed when
they saw lesser workings and preachings of the Lord and His glory, even seeking
it out with long journeys (Luke 11:31-32). Something greater was among them in
Jesus Christ the Messiah, yet they could not see His truth because of their
hardened hearts drenched in unbelief. They were simply there to test Him and
had no intentions of becoming converts to the Kingdom of God (Mark 8:11). They
were argumentative and skeptical in His presence rather than reverent and
receptive. This had to agitate the King of Glory as He gave His only sign to them
with a deep sigh in His Spirit (Mark 8:12). *Application* God knows our hearts and desperately wants us to know
Him intimately. The irony here is that Jesus is giving them the greatest sign
the world has ever seen in His miraculous resurrection, yet they totally missed
it. Make sure you don’t miss it. God is calling for you. Please respond by
believing in what He has done. He has given us the sign that He is eternal and
can give us eternal life with Him.
-Jesus remarks on true family to those who had gathered to
listen to Him speak the words of God, probably in Capernaum. This was not a put
off of His earthly mother and brothers. It was a statement of instruction about
the true family of God and how to be a part of that family. Matthew and Mark
give us that it requires doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21; 12:50, Mark
3:35), while Luke adds that we must hear it and do it (Luke 8:21).
*Application* We are called the children of God in the Scriptures (1 John
3:1-3). Being a part of this family is a special privilege that changes
everything that we are about. This relationship that God graciously bestows
upon us purifies, sanctifies, and in the end glorifies us as redeemed of the
LORD. Count your many blessings if you are a part of His Kingdom and live like
the saint you are.
Verse to Memorize:
Matthew 12:28, 34, 37
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