In Chapter 12 of Matthew we read of the many interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees. We can clearly see that Jesus wants us to know that “Religion” is a waste of time discussion. When we engage in “religious” discussions, the type that concerns itself with who is right and who is wrong, it is meaningless conversation going nowhere. It detracts from what is important and attach importance to that which is not. The Pharisees were “shortsighted” and caught up with religious ritual (Sabbath) as Jesus would point out to them and not seeing that doing good on the Sabbath was lawful and that God has the final say and not man. The declaration that we need to heed is that Jesus is the Sabbath.
Matthew 12(MSG)6-8 “There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—‘I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual’—you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”
So Jesus continues in his work, knowing how the Pharisees felt but he did something which I believe is a lesson to all of us and that is – he withdrew from the area – we ought to avoid hostile situations as much as we possibly can.
In the next couple of verses, Jesus continues to heal but the miracles were so great that they stirred up the Pharisees even more they started to accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the devil. Jesus did not hesitate to point out their “folly” by stating:”
“A divided kingdom ends in ruin. A city or home divided against itself cannot stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself and destroying his own kingdom. And if, as you claim, I am casting out demons by invoking the powers of Satan, then what power do your own people use when they cast them out? Let them answer your accusation!
He further pointed out to them that they were blaspheming against him by saying the things that they did and that even that is forgivable but he wanted then to be careful of their words lest they commit the unforgivable which is speaking against the Holy Spirit.
Jesus continues to have some choice words for them by explaining to them that a tree is identified by its fruits – a lesson to all of us that our actions tells what kind of fruits we are producing. Our speech tells whether we have good or bad within us and that our words reflect our fate – another lesson to us either we will be justified by them or we will be condemned.”
Despite the lessons being taught to them the Pharisees once again approached Jesus asking for a sign Jesus told them in short order the following:
But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, faithless nation would ask for further proof; and none will be given.
As believers we do not need a sign, we need to exercise our faith. As a matter of fact, the signs and most times evidence of what we seek is right before us and we are like the Pharisees blind to it. We need to see and believe; asking for a sign will not help us.
Matthew 12 ends by imploring us to do God’s will and all will be well with us.
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