Matthew 12 - The Threat of Legalism, Jesus’ True Family

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Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

As Jesus' following and influence starts growing the Pharisees began to get more and more jealous and looked for opportunities to trap him. Their main strategy was to try and catch Jesus and/or his disciples breaking some aspect of the Mosaic Law. In today's passage, they accuse Jesus' disciples of eating on the Sabbath. 

Jesus has already taught them about the difference between the Spirit and the letter of the Law, but they have clearly not understood his message. Jesus had just taught on the "easy yoke" and now he shows the "hard yoke" and "heavy burden" the Pharisees were laying on the Jewish people. 

Importantly Jesus said, "The Sabbath is made for man, not man made for the Sabbath". The Sabbath was not supposed to be about obeying a bunch of rules but worshipping God and setting apart a day for him. The Sabbath is a great discipline, as it frees us from the grip of materialism and being slaves to things like technology. The Sabbath is about returning our dependence, time, and energy to the Lord. As we put God first, we can accomplish way more in His power than ours!

Do you have time for Sabbath in your life? Of course, this includes consistent worship at church, but it is not limited to it. You can create Sabbath time in each and every day! Hopefully reading through the New Testament is a time of Sabbath for you each day!

The Pharisees even went to the absurd argument about healing on the Sabbath by calling it "work". Jesus teaches that God is working on the Sabbath and healing those in need. Jesus says to them, "After all you rescue one of your animals on the Sabbath, are not human beings more important than animals."

The threat of legalism is always a temptation for the church. We need to make sure we focus on gospel not law. Legalism kills, but the gospel is life and freedom. 

God’s Chosen Servant

Isn't interesting that the more the Pharisees persecuted and plotted against Jesus, the crowds following him grew. Everything Jesus said and did was fulfilling what the prophets had said about him. The Pharisees who should have been well versed in what the Messiah would look like did not make the connection because they were focused on themselves. 

The quote from Isaiah 42:1-5 focuses on Jesus' mission and care for the those who are downtrodden. Note also that Jesus is a SERVANT. 

Jesus the Servant is an example to us as servants, but He is so much more than that. He is our Servant. He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also He serves us every day through His constant love, care, guidance, and intercession. Jesus did not stop serving when He went to heaven; He serves all His people more effectively than ever from heaven. - Guzik

We also see the Trinity expressed  The Father says, “This is my Chosen servant, the One I love and is my delight. Jesus is the Servant in whom the nations have put their trust in.  This a fulfillment of Genesis 12 where God promised Abram he would be a blessing to all nations. And finally Yahweh says, “I will put my Spirit upon Him!”

This is why the “modus operandi” of every Christ follower should be that of a servant. For even Jesus did not coke to be served but to serve and give his life as a random for many  

Where is God calling you to serve this Jesus did? 

Jesus and Beelzebul

The Pharisees make the ridiculous claim that Jesus is casting out demons by the prince of demons. This makes no sense. Why would Satan work against himself to heal someone?  He is only bent on destroying us. 

Finally, Jesus talks about “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” as being the “unpardonable sin”. Jesus died for all of our sins on the cross. While some sin has more consequences than others, it is all sin which is equally offensive to a holy God. There is no sin Jesus didn't die for on the cross.

In what sense is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit unforgivable?  The only way we can come to faith is through the Holy Spirit. So if we deny or blaspheme the Holy Spirit, we are denying the ability to receive forgiveness through Jesus. No Spirit, no faith, no forgiveness. 

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Of course Jesus is pro family and calls us to honor our father and mother and all family members. But Jesus re-defines family as those who do His Father’s will. When we are born again through receiving Jesus (see John 3), we become part of a new spiritual family. We are part of the family of God of those who believe in Jesus and are baptized into the body of Christ. 

How might Jesus’ view of your true family change the way you look at fellow Christians? Your church? The local and global church? Ie the Church of Fallbrook.