MATTHEW 12
JESUS CONTINUES TO TEACH + REVEAL HIS CHARACTER
Jesus and His disciples are rebuked by the Pharisees for plucking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus reminds the Pharisees of 1 Samuel 21, when David ate the holy bread meant for the priests of the temple. Jesus, referring to Himself, says that something greater than the temple has arrived. Jesus questions the knowledge of the Pharisees, saying God desires mercy and understanding over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6).
Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand at the synagogue. The Pharisees, using this as a chance to challenge and question Jesus, ask Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath day. Jesus responds, asking them rhetorically if they would save one of their sheep from falling into a pit on the Sabbath. Seeing the value of this man more highly than a sheep, Jesus restores his withered hand. Instead of having awe for Jesus, the Pharisees plot to destroy Him. Jesus claims to be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of God’s chosen servant who will have God’s spirit upon Him and bring hope to the people (Isaiah 42:1-4).
Some of the Pharisees attribute the work of Jesus to Satan, saying that Jesus is a force for evil. Jesus warns against an unforgivable sin, referred to as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Although it is highly debated among theologians, it is likely that this sin only refers to those who saw Jesus in the flesh and accused Him of being evil or demonic, meaning it cannot be committed by anyone alive today or anyone who trusts in Jesus as the Savior.
Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, either a good tree producing good fruit or a bad tree producing bad fruit. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, showing the value placed on the intention of what is spoken. There is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus, but those who do not will be held accountable for their careless words.
Jesus references the prophet Jonah and compares Jonah’s three days in the stomach of the whale to the three days He will spend in the grave. Jesus tells the religious leaders, who are familiar with Jonah, that He has come as a greater Jonah. Jesus also references 1 Kings 10 when the Queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s incredible knowledge. Jesus has come with a knowledge even greater than Solomon!
Using the imagery of an unclean spirit or demonic force, Jesus describes the hearts of the people. Once they have been cleansed from their sins, if they fail to replace their old ways with God’s ways, they will be susceptible to end up worse than before. God’s people, for generations, have attempted to follow the law while neglecting the importance of heart transformation and genuine repentance.
When Jesus is asked about His family, He calls all of God’s people His brothers and sisters, inviting all believers into God’s chosen family.
