Posts Tagged ‘Matthew 12’

The Word 11.15.09

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Comments Posted on Nov 15, 2009 Last Updated Nov 16, 2009 Posted by Jeff Lash

How can we distinguish sound teachers from false prophets? It would seem obvious but Jesus says that false prophets come like wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15-20). Their attacks are subtle. They confuse and deceive by using common phrases and words that we would associate with a godly man or woman. For these individuals, Jesus tells us that we can truly know them by the fruit of their lives. The fruit of a person’s life (actions, words, etc.) will always be consistent with the affections of his heart. Whoever or whatever has claimed control over a person’s heart (and ultimately that person’s life) will be seen in the words and actions of that person. In the end, as Jesus puts it, our words will either acquit or condemn us.

Matthew 12:33-37 (ESV)

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The Word 11.7.09

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Comments Posted on Nov 08, 2009 Last Updated Nov 08, 2009 Posted by Jeff Lash

This is a tough passage on multiple levels. Jesus draws a line in the sand in verse 30. Then he addresses the unforgivable sin in verse 31-32. He says that we will all be known by our fruit in verses 33-35. Finally, he reveals that our words will either justify or condemn us in verses 36-37. There is a lot of serious issues to think about here. More on that later this week.

Matthew 12:30-37 (ESV)

30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The Word 11.1.09

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Comments Posted on Nov 01, 2009 Last Updated Nov 02, 2009 Posted by Jeff Lash

Jesus heals a demon-possessed man which causes the people to ask whether he is the long-awaited Messiah. The Pharisees pick up on the commotion and accuse Jesus of using the power of Satan to cast out the demon. Their claim makes sense considering the fact that the Pharisees are the true representatives of God and authorities on all things coming from God. Right? Wrong. Jesus exposes their intentions time and again. This time Jesus breaks down the faulty logic in their argument. It makes absolutely no sense to say that Jesus is wielding the power of Satan to cast out his own subject since Satan would have sent the demon to possess the man in the first place. Satan would be working against himself. Additionally, Satan would not even get the credit since the people were associating Jesus with the Son of David. If Jesus’ authority does not come from Satan, it must come from God.

Jesus’ ability to cast out demons also says something about Satan and kingdom of God. Satan has been superseded and bound by Jesus. The kingdom of God has come and is currently working toward its culmination when Jesus returns. Satan has no authority or rule. Jesus has come to set the captives free.

Matthew 12:22-29 (ESV)

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

The Word 10.18.09

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Comments Posted on Oct 18, 2009 Last Updated Oct 18, 2009 Posted by Jeff Lash

The Pharisees are looking to discredit Jesus and his ministry at every turn. Who is this obscure rabbi who preaches the coming of the kingdom of heaven, heals the sick, and raises the dead? Jesus is trampling on their territory. He is removing the power and control that the Pharisees have enjoyed for so long right out from underneath them. Something has to give.

So…the Pharisees catch the disciples gathering food during the Sabbath and jump all over this opportunity. They point out to Jesus that his disciples have now broken the law by laboring on the Sabbath. Jesus is once again forced to respond to the Pharisees claims. Not only does he respond, Jesus teaches the Pharisees that their understanding of the Law is inaccurate. They believe that the Law is kept through external obedience. They show little regard for internal faithfulness. But God desires mercy and not legalism. Mercy is inherent in the Law to begin with. It was God’s mercy that brought the Law into existence in order that man might know his sin and need for a Savior. Even the finer points of the law highlight God’s provision and mercy toward his people. For instance, giving the land a Sabbath rest ensures that it will retain its resources and continue producing crops to feed the people.

God is not impressed by legalism. What God desires is faithfulness in intention as displayed in our lives through the act of mercy. However, we should not pit law against mercy. By being merciful, you are keeping the intention of the Law.

Matthew 12:1-14 (ESV)

12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

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