Today’s Reading: Matthew 12:15-50
Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. – Matthew 12:14-16
The Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat, but the people saw Jesus as the healer. The religious leaders wanted to silence him, but the people wanted to follow him. He was kind and compassionate, healing those who were injured or diseased. He came to bring justice, but what most received when they met Jesus was hope.
This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
“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.
He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
And his name will be the hope
of all the world.” – Matthew 12:17-21
THE HOPE OF ALL THE WORLD
Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”
But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” – Matthew 12:22-24
A man was freed from the evil spirit living within him, and he was now able to speak and to see. He had his life back and it was all because of Jesus. Those who witnessed this healing were dumbfounded and began to ask if Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. But the Pharisees dug in their heels and made up lies about Jesus. Instead of acknowledging that Jesus had been sent by God and was performing miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit, they accused Jesus of receiving his power from Satan.
“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” – Matthew 12:31-32
The Spirit was at work in Jesus, and Jesus was performing miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather than recognizing the wonderful things that were being accomplished through the ministry of the Messiah, the religious leaders doubted Jesus’ sovereignty and questioned his calling. They challenged Jesus instead of joining the crowd in their amazement of the difference that Jesus was making in the lives of so many.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. – Matthew 12:35-36
God, give us eyes to see the good you are accomplishing through the ministry of others. May we be quick to give you glory and celebrate the difference you are making in the lives of so many, rather than fall to jealousy and gossip. May your Spirit dwell within us and guide our hearts. Give us wisdom and discernment to recognize the work of your hands, and may we stand in amazement when we see others giving their lives to you. We recognize this morning that you are the hope of all the world, and we give you the praise! Amen.