Day #18: January 18, 2009 - Matthew 12:14-37

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were trying to do through these Sabbath controversies. (they were plotting to kill Jesus) But, He did not let their plots ands threat detour him Him from His mission. (Luke 19:10) As many people continued to follow Him.He healed all their sick but warned them not to tell who He is. WHY? To publicize that He is the Messiah would only invite more opposition.

Though the text does not state who brought this demon-possessed man to Jesus "they" (v. 22) may refer to the Pharisees. It may be that the Pharisees discovered this man and realized the difficult nature of his case. He was both blind and mute, so communication with him was almost impossible. The man could not see what someone might want him to do, and while he could hear instructions, he would not be able to respond. Jesus immediately healed him by removing the demon, and the man both spoke and saw. The people were astonished and asked, Could this be the Son of David? In other words, “Is not this the promised Messiah, David’s Descendant (2 Sam. 7:14-16) who has come to rule over us and bring healing to our nation?” While the people were asking this question, the Pharisees were concluding that Jesus’ power must be attributed to Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Knowing what the Pharisees were thinking, Jesus defended His authority. This was one of the few times He did so, but the issue was clear. Jesus gave three arguments to answer the claim that He was working by Satan’s power. First, He said if He were casting out a demon by Satan’s power, then Satan would be working against himself. Why would Satan let Jesus cast out a demon and free a man who was already under his control? To do so would divide Satan’s kingdom and bring it to destruction.

Second, Jesus asked them about contemporary Jewish exorcists, those who were able to cast out demons by the power of God (v. 27). The apostles had been given that authority (Matt. 10:1) and others were thought to possess such power. Jesus was saying in essence, “If you believe exorcists work by the power of God in casting out demons, why do you not think I have that same divine power?”

Third, by driving out demons, He was proving He was greater than Satan. He was able to go into Satan’s realm (the strong man’s house), the demonic world, and come away with the spoils of victory (Matt. 12:29). Since He could do this, He was able to institute the kingdom of God among them . If He were driving out demons by Satan’s power, He certainly could not be offering the people God’s kingdom. That would be contradictory. The fact that He was coming to establish the kingdom clearly showed that He worked by the power of the Spirit of God, not by Satan’s power.

Jesus then invited the people to make a clear decision. They must either be with Him or against Him. He gave a strong warning to those moving away from Him. They were about to commit the blasphemy against the Spirit - the only unforgiveable sin. (God can forgive any sin - murder, adultery, stealing, lying, greed, disobedience - any sin, except one. The rejection of His offer of salvation. If one rejects God's plan for salvation, through Jesus Christ and made clear by the Holy Spirit, that Sin can not be forgiven.)


Finally, the contrasts Jesus made between the good tree and its fruit and the bad tree and its fruit demonstrated the decisions people have to make regarding Jesus - accept Him or reject Him. Weigh the evidence. In closing this passage, Jesus condemned the Pharisees as a brood of vipers who could never say anything good because their hearts were evil. People are responsible for all their actions and words, which will acquit or condemn them on the day of judgment.


SO WHAT? (what will I do today as a result of what I've read?)

It baffles me how people could reject Jesus. How could they see the miracles & the healings and still not believe? How could they hear His message and not respond? How could they watch His life and not see? Like so many of the the other passage through Matthew, this passage is filled with truth for me today. First - Lord, I want to lift You up today. I want to honor You and give glory to You. Bring people to a point of decision regarding Your offer of salvation. Fill COV with power and draw people to You.

Give people courage to step across the line and receive You. May every word I preach be Your word. Make the message clear in peoples minds and hearts. Lord, bring new people today. Don't let folks sleep in or put off worship. Draw them here this morning. Build your church.

Second - the opposition to Jesus was growing. The Pharisees were on the move to kill Jesus. Yet, He was aware of their motives, plans and thoughts. Lord, give me discernment and insight. Help me think clearly and plan and act in accordance with Your will. Prevent me from swerving to the left or to the right of Your plan for me today- but rather, help me stay right in the middle of your will.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV)

PRAYER

Lord, heal Sharon's body. Make her well. Watch over Kelsey and Matt and Drew and Katie and Emily this morning. Teach them today from Your word. Help the make a difference in the lives of others today at church and beyond. Lord, incline peoples heart towards making a commitment to you today. Speak to the hearts of our people about the core classes today. Put it on their hearts to invest the time in their spiritual growth and maturity.

Lord, humble me - drive the pride out of my life. Make me holy - set apart for You and Your work. And Lord, keep me honest -let every word from my mouth be the truth spoken in love.

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." Proverbs 11:2-3 (NIV)

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)