[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 12
“For the Son of Man is the Lord of Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8)
“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30)
“Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31)
“For out of the outflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34)
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36)
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49)
LORD OF SABBATH (vs. 1-14)
The disciples of Jesus were hungry, so they ate some heads of grain on Sabbath. The Pharisees accused them of doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus countered them by referring them to David who ate the consecrated bread from the house of God. He also referred to the Law (Num. 28:9-10) which permitted the priest to labor on the Sabbath and offer sacrifices. He told them that He is the Lord of the Sabbath.
The Pharisees had strict “no work” rules on Sabbath. Searching a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked Him: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (v. 10). Jesus answered them with another question: “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? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep. Therefore, it is lawful to do good on Sabbath” (v. 11). Then Jesus healed the man with shriveled hand and he was completely restored.
GOD’S CHOSEN SERVANT (vs. 15-21)
Jesus is the chosen servant of God. The Spirit of God is upon Him to proclaim justice to the nations. All nations will put their hope in His name.
JESUS AND BEELZEBUB (vs. 22-37)_
When Jesus healed a blind and mute -possessed man, the Pharisees criticized Him by saying: “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons” (v. 24). Christ refuted them by saying that how can a divided kingdom stand? He affirmed that he could cast out the demons by the Spirit of God because He had overcome their leader Satan.
Jesus warned them about an unpardonable sin – blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He also said that a good tree will bear good fruit. A man speaks out from what is inside in his heart. And everyone will have to give account of every careless word he speaks during judgment day. (v.36)
THE SIGNS OF JONAH (vs. 38-45)
Some Pharisees and teachers of the law was asking Jesus to perform miracles. He responded with the sign of prophet Jonah who was in the belly of a huge fish for 3 days and 3 nights in comparison with His death, burial and resurrection.
Jesus gave a parable about an evil spirit which had come out of a man. He returned with seven other spirits to that man making the condition of that man worse than before. This implied that if a man joins a church but without Jesus living in his heart, his outward righteousness will last only for a while. Satan will get hold of his empty life and control him.
JESUS’ MOTHER AND BROTHERS (vs. 46-50)
Those who obey His Father in heaven are considered by Jesus as His mother, brothers and sisters.
LESSONS:
- Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath. He ordained the Sabbath to be a day of spiritual blessings and joy. It is not to be a strict observance of man-made rules. So, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
- Jesus is the chosen servant of God who healed the sick by the power of the Spirit of God. Trust in the healing power of Jesus.
- Blasphemy against the Spirit is an unpardonable sin.
- A good tree will produce good fruit. Be a good tree.
- The words spoken by a man from his mouth comes out from the inside of his heart. Beware when you speak because every careless word spoken will be judged.
- Jesus gave the example of his sign as pictured by Jonah. Jonah disobeyed God and Israel rejected Jesus. But Jesus obeyed God unto death on the cross. Jonah preached judgment to Nineveh. Jesus was preaching salvation to the Jews.
- Reformation without rebirth is dangerous. When the Jews returned from their captivity after they had been purged of their sins, their hearts had not truly repented. So, Satan went back and the nation worshiped idols. They even killed their own Savior. How about you? Are you a born-again Christian?
- Be one of God’s family member by obeying the will of God.
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