Matthew 12:38-42

Matthew 12:38-42

After all that Jesus said, and even after Jesus had just healed a man's withered hand and healed one who was demon possessed blind and mute, this is the scribes and Pharisees response:

"We want to see a sign from you."

Really??  Hadn't they seen numerous signs?  Were they so blinded by their rules they had added that the miracles that Jesus had done weren't enough for them?  

Jesus responds with He will only give them one sign.  

The sign of the prophet Jonah

Three days and three nights Jesus will be in the heart of the earth

The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching.  Greater than Jonah is here:  Jesus 

Greater than Solomon is here:  Jesus and Jesus is wisdom

Application:

Sometimes in my own life I get so discouraged and longing to see more works done and things completed healed fulfilled.  My heart gets achy from praying for things and not seeing answers right away,  or seeing things go the opposite way of how I hoped and prayed.  One of the hardest things for me is that I can't change the choice of man. It breaks my heart :(. But I can keep praying for them.  It is so sad to see people I love choose to turn their back on Christ and miss out on living the most fulfilling life because of fear resentment unforgiveness bitterness rebellion whatever is at the root of their choice.  

This world does not operate in the ways I long to see.  This world is fallen and messed up and filled with sin and mistakes, including my own.  However, there are moments and opportunities that God's will is done on earth, because we as believers had the opportunity to do that things He asked us to do.  And in those moments there is joy and peace.  I need to remember for myself to make the moments of each day last for that eternal purpose and not miss out on what His will is for me today, nor get discouraged.  

Discouragement and depression are my soul's greatest stumblings and enemies.  

Lord help me remember Your amazing works You have done in my life:  

My marriage.  Healing of the brokenness in my marriage.  Every one of my children.  Giving our remaining embryos to Paul and Rachel and seeing them become parents to two little boys. Daily bread clothing and shelter.  Being a part of an amazing church and watching Your plant grow.  

Watching  the work You are doing in my children.  Help me not miss out in what You are doing right in front of me.  I love You.  

And even the amazing work of the cross in my own life.  Help me never forget that.  

I love You. 

Matthew 12:33-37

Matthew 12:33-37

Continuing to point back to the accusations the Pharisees made, Jesus shares that if a tree is good it's going to make good fruit and if a tree is bad it's going to make bad fruit.  

Jesus is producing good fruit

Next point: 

Out of what is abundant in the heart the mouth speaks.  

If a man has good treasure in His heart good things will come from it

If a man has evil man has evil treasure stores up then evil will proceed from your mouth. 

The words we say either justify or condemn us, and what is actually going on inside of our hearts

Jesus is speaking good things revealing the good in His heart

Jesus actions and words reveal who He is.  

Application:  

What are my actions and words revealing.  Especially to my children.  But to the whole world as well.

Lord may my words and actions reflect You!  :). I love you Lord. 

Matthew 12:31-32

Matthew 12:31-32

After being accused of casting out demons through satan, Jesus tells them the only sin unforgivable is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  Speaking against the Holy Spirit is unacceptable. 

Application:

Don't belittle the work of the Holy Spirit or not share it with others.  He is living and active and present in our lives.  Don't credit His work to other things.  Like the Pharisees were doing in regards to the work of Jesus who was casting out demons.  They were not giving credit to the Spirit of God, but they were giving credit to Satan.  

Lord please help me to allow Your work to be present in my life and to give praise and credit to where it is due.  

And also help me not say things are too difficult for you.  Sometimes I think things are without hope, but nothing is impossible with You.  

Matthew 12:22-30

Matthew 12:22-30

Facts: Jesus 

Son of David

Cast out a demon who was demon possessed, blind and mute.  

Accusation:  Jesus was casting demons out by Beelzebub the ruler of demons

Kingdoms can't be divided against themselves.  

Satan wouldn't cast out satan

Instead of accepting the truth that the kingdom of God has come upon them they chose to accept a lie that Jesus is working for Satan. 

Jesus is full of life giving and healing and instead of seeing that truth they choose to make Him a black sheep not accept Him as who He says He is.

They loved their law more than they loved Jesus.  

Application

Keep my eyes open to His truth and who He is and the work He is doing.  Use Him o be my ruler of what's truth vs

What is from satan.  

Matthew 12:15-21

Matthew 12:15-21

Jesus was healing but He didn't do it to make His name known.  It was His ministry to do and He actually asked to not make His name known.  

Fulfillment from Isaiah the Prophet:

Jesus is the Servant God had chosen

Jesus is His Beloved

Jesus is whom God's soul is well pleased

Jesus had God's Spirit put upon Him

Jesus will declare justice to the Gentiles

Jesus does not quarrel or cry out

Jesus will not break a bruised Reed or quench a smoking flax until He sends forth justice to victory

In Jesus name the Gentiles will trust

I love the last part of this passage.  It is for the rest of the world that is not Jews.  He invites us into Him.  We can be healed by Him and be brought into justice through Him. 

This is our redemption note.  Love it. 

Matthew 12:9-14

Matthew 12:9-14

Crazy:  Jesus heals a man on the sabbath from his hand being withered:  

Pharisees response:  plotted about how they could destroy Jesus.  

Instead of celebrating the miracle the response is judgement over what God has done.  Over their rules they added about the sabbath verses what the Bible has said.  

Point:  Jesus knew the heart behind the sabbath was to be life giving.  And He reaches out to a man who needed a life giving touch and restored His hand

How can I apply this?  

When I take a sabbath: 

To restore myself with God, to be able to reach out to those around me again and give and breath His life to refresh them.

 

Please Lord help me know how to implement sabbath rest into my home an my families life.  

Matthew 12:1-8

Matthew 12:1-8

So cool to re read this after John Mark's sermon on Sunday and to have understanding of what the Torah was being the words from God's Law, and then the extra laws added to it not from God.   

What Jesus and His disciples did on the sabbath: they were hungry.  The picked heads of grain and ate it.  

Then they got accused of breaking the laws in the sabbath.  

The sabbath is for rest, to be life giving to us.  To refresh and restore us and find that in Jesus.  Taking a break and knowing that the world still will operate without me in it.  

I would love to figure out a time to do this with my own family in our home.  To rest and take a break from the normal, to spend time with each other and with Jesus.  

Please Lord show me how to do this in our home, that we might all find rest in You.