Matthew 12:9,10
Going on from that place, He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
These verses both amaze and sadden me. It amazes me that these people would try to use a miracle from God to try to trap the Son. Whether they were blinded by their hard hearts, doubt, fear, peer pressure, or some other thing, we don't know, but we do know that they tried to use something that should have given God glory to try to trap the Son. It saddens me that it was the very people who should have known Him the best or recognized His coming who were the ones trying to push this agenda. It was the ones trained in the Scriptures who twisted them around to try to trap Him. Do we see this in our world today?
Unfortunately, it's not just in the world but in the Church as well. The Word of God tells us the truth, but because of fear, worry, hardness of heart, or some other reason, we concede the truth to keep the "peace." My friends, that is not of Christ but of the world. Christ calls us to both truth and love, not love minus truth or truth minus love, but both working in tandem for the glory of God. As we stare down the hot button issues in our society: abortion, transgenderism, gay marriage, sexual immorality, idolatry, and so forth, will we face them with the truth of God's Word and the love of Christ, or will we back down and make concessions that lead us to turn on Jesus much like these Pharisees did here?
Two things the Body of Christ can do better going forward: not making excuses for people's sins and not condemning them for them either. We all were blind before Christ opened our eyes, so let us deal with those around us the way He dealt with us; lovingly, mercifully, truthfully, and humbly while we were still His enemies. It was not the threat of punishment that God intended to lead us to repentance, but it was His kindness. This is a truth that is hard to understand but powerful when grasped and lived out! Maybe sharing God's truth in love will be the key that finally unlocks their door to freedom.
We are no better than anyone else, yet we are called to live at a higher standard, the standard Christ set that day on the Cross! Never back down from sharing the truth in love, but also don't condemn those who are still wandering in the darkness. Instead, shine your light to the Father's glory that they may see there is a way out, and His name is Jesus!
Matthew 5:16- “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Romans 2:4- Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Ephesians 4:14,15- Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
God bless! I love you all, but His love is the only way! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
Matthew 12:11,12
He said to them, "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 person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Jesus is teaching us that honoring God by doing good and loving on people doesn't violate the Law but fulfills it. He is teaching us about the heart behind the action and how it reveals the condition of the heart.
He is also exposing their hypocrisy and hard hearts; they desire to keep the Law not to honor God and love people but to do it for their own glory, power, and stature. They used the Law as a weapon, pushing others down while exalting themselves, and Jesus is having none of that. He knows that love fulfills the Law and that He Himself will walk it out perfectly. He was tired of those in charge of keeping the Law, weaponizing it, and using it against the people it was given to. So, He exposes their legalism in front on everyone; but are we guilty of falling into this same trap?
I, at times, have been guilty of legalism myself, holding onto the rules with all my pride, rejecting love and refusing to walk in it. We far too often trade love for the Law or the Law for love, but Christ tells us that we must be balanced. We can't walk in direct opposition and disobedience to God's Word and claim to love Him with all our hearts at the same time. We also can't reject the truth of God's Word for the sake of love, nor can we cling so tightly to the Law that we lose sight of love.
It is a narrow path laid before us but not one that is impossible to walk. You see, we have a Savior who has walked it before us and is walking it with us! We need only to surrender to Him and follow His lead in everything! Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving my many sins and continuing to shape and mold me daily! He will do the same for you!
Hebrews 4:15,16- This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Matthew 16:24- Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
God bless! I love you all, but His love fulfills our greatest need! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
Matthew 12:21
“In His name the nations will put their hope.”
The name above every other name. Thank You, Jesus! If hope was a currency, then where are we spending ours? In people? Money? Stature? Power? Yourself? Or is it in the Lamb of God who gave His life so that we could have this hope and freedom? Are we putting it in the only One who can truly deliver and save us or in things the world tells us might help?
Hope is found in Jesus Christ. He brings it freely to all those who believe in Him and call on His name. If our hope remains in human ability and human things, how desperately disappointing and sad of a life that would be. Christ knew our names before our parents ever gave us one. He paid for our sins before we ever committed one and gave us hope before we ever knew we needed it!
We live in a world that tells us to trust everything but God, but God is the only One we can always trust with everything. Everyone and everything in this world will let you down at some point. None of us is perfect. We live in a fallen world, but we don’t serve a fallen God. God Almighty, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are perfect, trustworthy, and true! They will never leave nor forsake you.
If you are covered by the blood, you are covered by His promises, and let me tell you, the Bible is full of promises to His people! In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.”
Romans 15:13 - I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God bless! I love you all, but He loves you more! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our Risen King, and the Holy Spirit!
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