Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

Matthew 12:15-21 God’s Chosen Servant 15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.  Even though the Pharisees rejected Jesus, the crowds still came after him.  They recognized Jesus' power and authority.  Jesus' withdrawing from there was not because he was afraid of the opposition, but because he knew God's timing.  He waited on God's direction, not for the crowds or the Pharisees to do his bidding.   Though Jesus' desire was to withdraw, it did not stop him from seeing the people who were sick, having compassion for them, and healing ALL of them.   " This is one of the few references in the gospels of Jesus healing all on a specific occasion, yet it is important and appropriate here. Matthew wants us to know that the press of the crowd did not make Jesus impatient or angry. He also wants us to know that the determination of this crowd was evidence of their faith; therefore, all were healed. &quo

9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,  The synagogue was where local Jews congregated to listen to different rabbis preach on the Law and the Prophets and participate in prayers.  Jesus showed by example that he was obedient to go to the public place of worship, though it didn't have the authority of the temple.   " Before any group of Jews could establish a new congregation and build or use a synagogue, they had to have at least ten active male members, age 13 or older, who could constitute a minyan (or quorum) of worshipers for the services that were to be held three times daily. " 10 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?” The man who showed up with a shriveled hand gave the religious leaders the perfect opportunity to set a trap for him.  If he taught against the Law of Moses, they could brand him as a heretic.   " The Rabbis allowed

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath 12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  There was provision in the Old Testament law for the disciples and others to glean food to eat from the fields.  It was not stealing, the only issue was according to the Pharisees it was breaking the Sabbath.  The law of Israel allowed people traveling through an area to glean enough grain for a small meal from fields in the area (Deuteronomy 23:25). Farmers were commanded to not completely harvest their crops to leave a little behind for the sake of travelers and the poor. Guzik. Jesus had just taught on what it meant to come to him if they were weary and burdened, and now we see how the Pharisees were constantly laying burdens on people. in this case by their burdensome Sabbath laws.  2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” The Pharisees

The Father Revealed in the Son 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  We see the spontaneous joy in Jesus' voice as he communicates to his Father, which he does on so many occasions.  All throughout Jesus' ministry we see him in constant communication with His Father, which we call prayer.  Even in Jesus' darkest hours he cried out to the Father. I.e. " My God, My God why have you forsaken me. "  Jesus was pleased that the Father had revealed himself to all people including those least expected to be in His kingdom.  He saw the duplicity and pride of the Jewish leaders while those who weren't so privileged came with with open hearts and minds.  By "little children" he doesn't mean as much their age but their simple trust in him like a child trusts in their father or mother.   26 Yes, Father, for this is what

Woe on Unrepentant Towns 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.  Because in these towns Jesus had revealed himself and his kingdom power, they deserved more accountability.  In our Western world people have been given a plethora of ways to hear the gospel, whereas in some areas of the world they have barely have had a chance.  I will never really understand why people fail to turn around and embrace Jesus as their Savior.  When you think about his life, death, resurrection and the abundant life he provides, I just don't get it.   The only explanation is as Paul says, " The people of this world have been blinded so that the gospel is foolishness to them!"  1 Corinthians 1:18 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  God’s judgment was fulfilled

Jesus continues to reiterate the role of John the Baptist in his coming to earth. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.  The time frame is from when John came from the desert preaching the kingdom was at hand in Jesus until the people had assembled "en masse" to follow Jesus.  "The “violent” are men of eager, impetuous zeal, who grasp the kingdom of heaven—i.e., its peace, and pardon, and blessedness—with as much eagerness as men would snatch and carry off as their own the spoil of a conquered city. Their new life is, in the prophet’s language, “given them as a prey” (Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 45:5). There is no thought of hostile purpose in the words." (Ellicott) 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.  We usually think that it was just the Old Testament prophets who prophesied, but the Pentateuch of Moses (the Law) also prophesied about the co

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?  After John's disciples left, Jesus had a chance to expound upon the unique role of John the Baptist to the crowds.  Jesus affirmed the bold message John delivered to them about repentance.  John was not "milque toast" in his preaching.  In keeping with the best Old Testament prophets, John came to deliver the Word of God even if if did not make everyone feel good.   8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.  " This kind of clothing was an emblem of riches, splendor, effeminacy, feebleness of character. He meant to say that John was a man of a different stamp - coarse in his exterior, hardy in his character, firm in his virtue, suited to endure trials and privations, and thus qualified to be the forerunner of the toiling and suffer

Jesus and John the Baptist 11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. Jesus moves from instructing the disciples to "teaching" and "preaching" in the towns of Galilee near where he grew up.  " According to Bruce, to preach in their cities does not refer to the cities of the disciples, but the cities of Galilee. In this way Jesus gave His commissioned disciples room to do their work. " Guzik 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples  3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” We know from John 1 that John knew Jesus was the Messiah, as twice in verses 29 and 36 he says, " Behold the Lamb of God" .  but his question belies he might have misunderstood what the Messiah came to do.   " John clearly recognized Jesus as the Messiah. His present doubt may be explained because p

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Jesus continues the theme from yesterday about the disciples commitment to him.  Remember this is specifically in the context of the disciples answering the call to follow him for the next three years.  Jesus is not abolishing the 4th commandment to honor your mother and father.  The context of this is that nothing should get in the way of one's discipleship to Jesus including relationships within your family.  " Christ is infinitely above all creatures, he is to be loved above the nearest and dearest relations and friends; being God over all blessed for ever, and also the Saviour and Redeemer; which itself, makes him more amiable and lovely than a common parent ." Gill 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Though Jesus had not gone to the cross yet, everybody knew what the cross symbo

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. These are some of the most challenging verses in the whole bible. Remember this is the chapter in which Jesus is sending the disciples out to do the work he had been doing and now commissioned them to do.  Jesus knew persecution was imminent and wanted to prepare them for it, yet at the same time challenge them to not deny him.  Also remember the previous verses described God's great love and care for them and how God knew what they needed before they even asked.  They would never be alone on this journey.  " Each individual Christian life should supply enough evidence – evidence that can be seen by the world – that they are indeed Christians. It is to be feared that many modern Christians, if arrested for the crime of following Jesus and tried in a court, would have the charges dismissed for a lack of evidence ." ((Guzik) 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown b

Matthew 10:26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  Though in the short term the disciples may suffer at the hands of their persecutors, in the long term God would vindicate their cause.  Though the truth may be covered up or suppressed for a while, it will come out in the end.  Sometimes this justice can be found on earth and at other times it will be found in heaven. Regardless the truth will triumph over evil.   27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.  The great thing about the gospel of Jesus is that there is nothing secret about it.  In some other religions only the top people in the religion are able to access secret doctrines.  The Mormon church is one example of this.  The authority in the Mormon church is derived from the Bible AND the Book of Mormon and other secretive manuscripts.  Only those in the upper eschelons

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  Jesus continues to prepare the disciples for what they should expect as he sends them out to do the work he has trained them to do. Jesus says something that is very surprising.  Not only will the disciples be persecuted by the governors and rulers, but even by their own families.  " Jesus knew that in some cases the gospel would divide family members, and that some of the most bitter persecution would take place among families. " We might ask how can this possibly happeen?    "Yet, dreadful as this prediction was, it was fulfilled; and, incredible as it seems, parents and children, husbands and wives, were found wicked enough to deliver up each other to these cruel modes of death on account of attachment to the gospel. Such is the opposition of the heart of man to the gospel! That hostility which will overcome the strong ties of natura

Matthew 10  Though the disciples mission would be exciting doing wonder and miracles in Jesus' name, they would also face much opposition.  Anytime we move out in the power of the kingdom, our enemy, the devil, will not be happy.  Paul tells us not to be "ignorant of the devil's schemes" and that our "battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of this present darkness.   16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.  We are the Lord's sheep, and he is our shepherd, but there will be wolves out there looking to "kill, steal and destroy." (John 10:10) " Jesus freely and honestly warned His disciples that they would face persecution. Because they went out without police or military protection, He sent them as sheep in the midst of wolves." (Guzik) Jesus uses the metaphor of being wise as snakes and innocent as doves.  Meaning they were to be smart

Matthew 10 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts As Jesus sent his disciples out, he commanded them to completely rely on God for their provisions on the road. " They should expect God to meet their needs, without taking undue concern for their own needs. Furthermore, they should expect that God would normally meet their needs through the inspired t hospitality of others." - Guzik 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.  The bag was slung over one's shoulders.  It was the same type of bag David carried his smooth stones in as he went to slay Goliath.  Usually Middle Eastern travelers carried extra shirts and shoes when they went on a journey..  Sandals were the shoes of the peasant class.  " Even though the twelve could expect their needs to be met through the people they served, they should never require their needs to be met as payment. The foundational principle was free

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve 10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These verses begin the movement from calling the Twelve " disciples " to calling them " apostles ".  Jesus took the authority he had been divinely given by the Father and gave it to the twelve.  Twelve was a number Jesus chose which was reminiscent fo the 12 tribes of Israel.  "The number twelve was the best number for these purposes that could be selected. It was sufficiently "large" to answer the purpose of testimony, and it was "so small" as not to tend to disorder, or that they could easily be divided into parties or factions." (Barnes)  2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and

The Workers Are Few Up to this time, Jesus had spent most of his time doing ministry and showing the power of the kingdom of God through signs and wonders.  In the next chapters in Matthew, he is going to begin to equip the disciples for the work of ministry to do the same things that he has done. Jesus could only do so much as ONE man.  The only way he could impact the WHOLE world was by training his disciples for ministry.   35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  You may not notice this but these words are the exact same as in Matthew 4:23 where it says, " Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. " This is called an "inclusio".  An "inclusio" is, " a literary device based on a concentric principle, also known as

Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute 27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” You may ask how the two "blind" men followed him.  Good question.  I suppose since he could have just come out of Jairus' house, they could have followed him immediately.   " It was not easy for these blind men to follow Jesus, but they did. They had to ask others where Jesus was going, and they had to listen to every sound that might guide them. Yet they were determined to follow Him to the best of their ability." (Guzik) The term "Son of David" was a Jewish term referencing the royal covenant God had made with King David which promised there would never fail to be a descendant of his on the throne.  He also promised him an "everlasting" kingdom, which is indicative of the Messiah who would come from the House of David, and whose kingdom would never end.   The blind men showed great faith in calling o

 Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman 18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”  Like many people who experienced Jesus' healing power, this man had faith that Jesus could do anything.  He was a synagogue leader, or an elder.  Luke and Mark add two helpful details that the rulers name was Jairus, and his daughter was 12 years old. Mark and Luke say she is at the point of death or "dying".   19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. At once Jesus responded to the man.  And his disciples followed. Mark adds that the crowds followed as well, spurred on by the other miracles he had done.  20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.  Because of her bleeding condition, this woman was considered being unclean by Levitical law. One can see why the

Jesus Questioned About Fasting Technically according to the Law, fasting was only required once a year. " Not at all, or very seldom, but on the contrary eat and drink freely. “In the law, we find only one fast-day enjoined, namely, the tenth of the seventh month, on which the national atonement was made. But the Jews, of their own accord, observed many other days of fasting." (Benson) 14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” This shows the fact that John's disciples were still running separately from Jesus' newly formed band of disciples.  Most think John was in prison at this time.  John's disciples fasted and practiced true repentance, whereas the Pharisees did it more for the outward appearance.  Apparently the Pharisees fasted twice per week.   Interestingly Jesus' disciples did not fast and we will find out soon enough.  15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the br