📅 January 10: Reflections on Matthew 12: Controversies and Kingdom Parables

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January 10: Reflections on Matthew 12: Controversies and Kingdom Parables

Understanding Jesus’ Teachings on the Sabbath and the Kingdom of God

Introduction

In our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, we arrive at chapter 12, a passage rich with controversy, instruction, and insight into the heart of Jesus’ teachings. Here, we encounter stories that challenge religious legalism and reveal the nature of Jesus’ messianic mission.

Matthew 12: Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12 presents a series of confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, particularly over the observance of the Sabbath. Jesus heals on the Sabbath and proclaims Himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” challenging the Pharisees’ narrow interpretation of the law and highlighting His authority over religious traditions.

Key Verse: “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” — Matthew 12:8

The Parables of the Kingdom

This chapter also features Jesus teaching in parables, using everyday images to reveal truths about the Kingdom of God. The parables illustrate the nature of God’s Kingdom as growing and inclusive, contrasting with the exclusive legalism of the religious leaders.

Key Verse: “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.’” — Matthew 13:31 (Note: This verse is from the next chapter but ties into the theme of parables about the Kingdom)

Key Themes and Reflections:

Sabbath and Mercy: Matthew 12 emphasizes the spirit of the law over the letter, focusing on mercy rather than sacrifice.

Kingdom Parables: The parables in this chapter reveal the Kingdom of God as dynamic and transformative, contrasting with static religious systems.

Jesus’ Identity: The chapter underscores Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and His authority to interpret the law.

Today’s Application:

Reflect on the importance of internalizing the spirit of God’s commands rather than adhering to external regulations. Consider what the parables teach us about the inclusive and transformative nature of the Kingdom of God.

Hidden Gem:

Did you know? Matthew 12 includes a reference to the prophet Jonah, linking Jesus’ ministry to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the whale, foreshadowing Jesus’ resurrection.

Reflective Q&A:

Matthew 12: Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath

Sabbath Controversies: What do Jesus’ actions and words regarding the Sabbath reveal about His approach to religious practice?

A: Jesus’ approach to the Sabbath highlights the priority of compassion and human need over ritual compliance. His actions assert that religious practices should serve humanity, not enslave them.

Authority of Jesus: How does Jesus demonstrate His authority over traditional interpretations of the law?

A: By healing and teaching on the Sabbath, Jesus asserts His divine authority to fulfill and properly interpret the law, positioning Himself above human traditions.

Join the Discussion:

What do the events and teachings of Matthew 12 reveal to you about legalism, compassion, and the nature of God’s Kingdom? Share your perspectives and engage with others in the comments below!

#Matthew12 #Sabbath #KingdomOfGod #Jesus #BibleStudy #SpiritualInsight #GospelReading

See You Tomorrow in Matthew: Continue to engage with the life and teachings of Jesus as we proceed through the Gospel of Matthew, uncovering the profound implications for our faith and daily lives.

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Matthew 12
The chapter commences with the Lord reproving the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the Sabbath, which he does by referring to the Law (Deu. 23:25) and King David (1Sam. 21:6). Yahshua then tests their understanding of the Scriptures in v. 7 with the question, what is understood by “I will have mercy and not sacrifice,” emphasising that he is “Lord also of the Sabbath.” This lesson is underlined when Yahshua, having entered the synagogue, heals the withered hand comparing this miracle to searching for one sheep. The Pharisees once more take council how they might destroy Yahshua (v. 14). • The Master continues his healing work, whilst vv. 18-22 are a quotation from Isa. 42:1-3 with one notable change. Verse 20 says ‘Victory’ whereas Isa. 42:3 says ‘Truth’. A man who was taken with blindness and dumbness emphasises that not only could the Pharisees not see clearly, but neither were they able to speak according to the Scriptures. Yet, had they realised this and turned to The Son of God he could have healed them as he heals this man. • Yahshua again cuts across their thoughts (vv. 24-30) and turns their arguments against themselves. He further shows that the healing of this man was according to the work of His Father through the power of the Holy Spirit of which to speak against was blasphemy (vv. 31-37), thus pointing out that every man shall give an account of even the smallest idle word. • Amazingly, following the miracles recorded in the previous verses, the Pharisees ask for a sign! As unfaithful servants they are rebuked and the sign Yahshua tells of is that which they should have recognised in the Prophet Jonah. In the last few vv. 46-50, Yahshua shows who are his brethren and sisters and mother, for “Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven” are his true family. • The chapter records: • [1] The disciples in the cornfields: vv. 1-8. The Passover had ended and the firstfruit sheaf had been offered (Lev. 23). The corn being ripe, it was permissible for the ears to be plucked. But rubbing with the hands was prohibited by the Pharisees’ tradition, which the Lord reproved by his reference to David (1Sam. 21:6) and to the activities of the priests who were blameless when their duties involved profaning the Sabbath. He further reprimanded them (Mat. 12:7) by showing how they failed to keep the Law by not providing for the needs of the hungry (cp. Isa. 58:10). • [2] Another Sabbath-healing – the man with the withered hand: vv. 9-14. Sabbath healing of the man’s withered hand was a further demonstration of how the Law should be observed. The Sabbath was intended as a day of release, even for animals (Exo. 23:12). • [3] A partial circuit of the Sea of Galilee; preaching and healing: vv. 15-21. Isaiah’s prophecy was partially fulfilled in the Lord’s ministry, and is introduced here in the context of the Lord’s Sabbath activities, in which he was shown to submit to Yahweh’s will in contrast to the demands of the Pharisees. • [4] The blind and dumb demoniac cured: vv. 22-23. The healing of the blind and dumb representative of the nation, produced an attempt by the Lord’s enemies to denigrate the power of the Spirit in Christ. Beelzebub was the god of Ekron of the Philistines, but applied by Jewry to the dung-hill of the city refuse. If the Lord used such alleged power then he would have been preaching the kingdom of Satan [Sin], and not that of God which, as a matter of public fact, he had been teaching. • [5] The Pharisees ridicule: v. 24. • [6] Christ’s reply: vv. 25-30. • [7] The unforgiveable nature of the Pharisees’ sin: vv. 31-37. To speak against the special and evident power of God will not be forgiven. They were a corrupted tree producing corrupt teachings; a brood of poisonous vipers, whose venom had poisoned the nation. Their evil words were contrasted by the wise and healing words of the Lord. Great care should be exercised in the words spoken by us. • [8] The only sign to be given: vv. 38-40. • [9] A greater than Jonah or Solomon should be heeded: vv. 41-42. Some of the better class of Pharisees, such as Nicodemus, while not blaspheming, were hesitant to accept Christ, yet demanded a sign that would verify the Lord’s integrity, despite witnessing his many miracles and the accuracy of his teachings. The Lord gave them a sign that told them that he would be buried for only three days and three nights according to the Scriptures. • [10] True reform must replace evil with good: vv. 43-45. Here is a description of people who make promises of forsaking bad habits or a wrong way of life but fail to fill the vacuum that results, with the good things of God and thus often fail in their responsibilities before the Almighty. Such was the case with Jewry who failed to fill their “house” with the goodness contained in the Lord’s teachings. • [11] Yahshua’s relatives try to restrain his zeal: vv. 46-50. The concluding section emphasizes the concern of the Lord’s family who had misjudged the Lord’s complete dedication to his Father’s service and had heard rumours that he was considered to be mad (Mark 3:21). So they sought to restrain him. The Lord’s response (v. 48) was not one of disrespect but rather referred to Another, other than they, who had authority over him in his ministry. Those who, like himself, establish the same relationship as he had with his Father, would receive his consideration. • The chapter thus outlines some of the exciting events in the ministry of the Master. At the outset of this discourse with the Pharisees, the Master directed them to David and elevated his disciples to the king-priest aspect of David, emphasising the point to which the Pharisees were still blinded, that, standing before them, was the One who was above all of these things (Mat. 5:17). It is not uncommon for men of corrupt minds, manifesting a zeal in rituals but without understanding the reason for such rituals, accepting instead the false services of religion in order to compensate for the looseness of their morals. But they are cursed who add to, as well as they who take from, the words of this book, as declared the two great leaders of both natural and spiritual Israel (Deu. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). This solemn command is mentioned five times through the Scriptures. It is a very grave warning for anyone through any generation, who might wish to alter The Word, or to teach and present teachings which are against its clear declarations of Truth. As to the Sabbath, which was another of the stumbling blocks before them (Mat. 12:8-15) the words of Mark 2:27-28 show clearly that Yahshua, as the only begotten Son of God, was as the Psalmist declares, made to have dominion over all of his works (Psa. 8). Matthew’s gospel continues to record, in relation to the incidents just mentioned, that this was a fulfilment of Isa. 42:1-3. In v. 3 of Isaiah’s prophecy it speaks of: “judgment unto truth,” whilst Matthew 12:20 has “judgment unto victory.” The factor behind both words is to be found in 1Cor. 15:57-58 (by The Word made flesh). • In the next section of Mat. 12:22-37 is one of those incidents in which the apostate churches revel, but is so clear to those who have ‘eyes to see.’ The Lord met “one possessed with the devil.” Thayer states that the Greek word daimonizomai means to be under the power of a demon. In the New Testament, these are persons afflicted with especially severe diseases, either bodily or mentally (such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, loss of speech, epilepsy, melancholy, insanity, etc.), into whose bodies, in the opinion of the Jews of the times, evil spirits had entered, and so held possession of them in a mental way. We use similar language when speaking of a “lunatic” (which literally means moon-struck). Their cure was thought to require the expulsion of the evil spirit. It was the blindness and dumbness that was the ‘devil’ when the Pharisees continued in their own blindness (vv. 34-37). Amazingly although they had witnessed these miracles they could demand: “we would see a sign from thee.” The Master’s response was to point to the sign of Jonah: to the evidence of his baptism, when the Spirit appeared as a “dove” (yonah) and gave him authority and power. And in that baptism is embedded the principles of sacrifice and devotion. For vv. 38-45 suggested reading ‘Nazareth Revisited’, p. 224 (Logos edition). • The chapter concludes with what might seem harsh words, but those to whom they were meant would understand and share with those ‘who having not seen yet believe,’ and continue in our strivings until he come, so that then we will be seen as a reflection of his glory doing the will of our heavenly Father. — Logos.