Written ~ 01-16-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Twelve
Matthew 12
In this chapter we see the Pharisees (very hypocritical observers of the Law of Moses) following Jesus, not because they believed in Who He was, but to catch Him doing something wrong so they could arrest Him. They tried to trick Jesus with their questioning so they could back Him into a corner and have reason to put Him to death. Jesus threatened their way of life. Up until now the Pharisees were able to twist the Law around to make it work for their own evil purposes and Jesus was exposing them at every turn. Jesus called them an evil, adulterous generation (12:39).
In verses 12:9-13, Jesus healed a man who had a deformed hand. It wasn’t uncommon for Jesus to heal, but this healing took place on the Sabbath and the Pharisees wanted so badly to catch Him disobeying the Law so they could finally arrest Him. But Jesus was not going to fall for their wicked plans. Instead He turned it around on them to expose their evil ways.
Verses 12:14-16,
14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. 15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So He left that area, and many people followed Him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but He warned them not to reveal who He was.
I’m curious… when I read this set of verses, it tells us “many people followed Him” and it says “He warned them not to reveal who He was…” Because the Pharisees were hot on Jesus’ trail, I wonder if that’s why He didn’t want the people following Him to “reveal who He was.” This confirms actually what I was thinking that Jesus looked fairly ordinary, He didn’t have a shining light hovering over His head wherever He went, so if He wasn’t specifically pointed out, it’s presumed Jesus could hide within the crowds when He was being pursued.
When we read the Old Testament, numerous Scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah, here in Matthew 12 we have the fulfillment of one such prophecy…
Verses 12:17-21,
17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Him:
18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases Me.
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not fight or shout
or raise His voice in public.
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally He will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And His Name will be the hope
of all the world.”
(This prophecy is found in Isaiah 42:1-4)
This is Who we put our faith and trust in… His Name is Jesus, the Son of God, He is the Messiah.
Verse 12:30 is something we should all be very aware of and periodically examine our own hearts to make sure we are walking in line with what the Word of God says in everything we do…
30 “Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me.”
Let’s not be like the Pharisees who question everything Jesus does, or be like those who will not believe Jesus is the Messiah. Instead let’s be faithful and put our complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, for “His Name will be the hope of all the world.”
Thank You Father for sending us Your Son, thank You for His life here on earth, thank You for the Sacrifice You made by sending Him here to be ridiculed, then sentenced to die. You did this Father so the entire world could have hope and be saved.
~AMEN~