Matthew: Chapter 12
Chapter 12 documents the growing dissonance between Jesus and the Pharisees. The concern which Jesus has for his disciples, followers and even those who don't listen to his words is seen here as well.
Lord of the Sabbath
Sabbath, is the day of rest where a person is not supposed to "work" and honor the day for the LORD. To keep the Sabbath is also one of the ten commandments seen in the old testament. In this chapter, the Pharisees accuse the disciples of Jesus as doing something unlawful on the Sabbath. The disciples had picked some ears of corn and ate them. The Pharisees saw this as "work", and hence the accusation. Jesus responded with verses and instances from the scriptures where prominent people seemingly broke the law, yet it wasn't held against them as unlawful. Further, Jesus adds,
If you had known what these words mean, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" you would not have condemned the innocent. Matthew 12:7
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| The disciples picking and eating ears of corn on the Sabbath. |
Later, in their synagogue, looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the Pharisees asked "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?", seeing that a man with shrivelled hand was present. Jesus aware of their intentions, retorts, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath", and then heals the man. With this, the Pharisees with out and plotted against Jesus to kill him.
The concept of Sabbath was to honor the LORD, and also for man to take rest, because man does need rest from all the toil in the world. But, eventually, this law was twisted to oppress and accuse people. Moreover, the Pharisees themselves were hypocrites and heartless as evident from the passage. They wouldn't consider a particular thing unlawful if they did it, but would treat it as unlawful if another does it. They never cared about someone getting healed, but that it shouldn't be done on the Sabbath. They did not understand that the LORD wanted them to show mercy to each other, and not just offer sacrifices mechanically.
God's Chosen Servant
Moving from that place, Jesus went around healing the sick and preaching and many followed him. Matthew notes that this is in fulfilment of what was written by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4)
Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no-one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12:18-21
While the Pharisees and other teachers of the law failed to understand the LORD, Jesus understood the Father and came to earth as his chosen servant, who is loved and is his delight. Jesus, proclaimed justice, and stood for it. He was firm and stated the scriptures in conflicts with men, he didn't quarrel or cry out in the streets, yet he had authority and people flocked to him. It is in Jesus name will nations put their hope, for he alone can lead justice to victory.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
The Pharisees yet again accused Jesus, when he healed a man who was demon possessed which made him blind and mute. The people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?", referring to the Messiah. But the Pharisees responded saying that the reason Jesus was able to drive out demons with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. The jealousy and hatred the Pharisees had for Jesus is clearly seen here. They were not able to see or accept that the Father enabled Jesus to do these through the Holy Spirit, and actively spoke against Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus responds in a three fold way. Firstly, he states how a kingdom divided against itself would fall. If what the Pharisees is true, regarding how Jesus is able to drive out the demons, it would be impractical for the demons. Why would the prince of demons enable someone to drive out demons, when its a clear disadvantage. "If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?" Further, Jesus states that if it is by the Spirit of God, he is able to do all these things, then the kingdom of God is among them. Another fact which the Pharisees and many others fail to comprehend.
Secondly, Jesus warns them about how serious their accusation is. Saying that Jesus is doing all his miracles by the power anyone but the Holy Spirit, is essentially blasphemy against the Spirit of God. Which would not be overlooked and would not be forgiven.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, by anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:32
Thirdly, Jesus calls out the Pharisees yet again for their hypocrisy. The reason for them standing against Jesus, failing to believe in him and the message he carries, accusing him of not being from God, was not because they were concerned about the people over whom they had the responsibility of instructing them in the will of the Father, but rather because of their own selfish nature. They were unwilling to accept the changing dynamic which Jesus brought forth. They felt that the presence and actions of Jesus, in helping and preaching to the people about the kingdom of heaven and repentance, undermined the facade of authority they had. Jesus exposed them in this, declaring, that a good tree would bear good fruits and a bad tree would give bad fruits and based on the fruit a tree can be judged. Similarly, by their own actions, they will be judged. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Since their hearts stored up evil, it brings out evil, when they speak. Finally Jesus, discloses that they have to give account for everything they say.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by the words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36,37
The Sign of Jonah
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus for a miraculous sign. For context, these are the same people who have been actively tailing Jesus, scrutinizing everything he did, to find something to accuse him. These people, now want a "miraculous sign". They didn't ask this to overcome their unbelief, but it was yet another ploy.
Jesus responds, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth". This sign later comes true, when Jesus dies and is resurrected.
Adding to this Jesus states that the people of Nineveh, to whom the prophet Jonah preached, will stand in judgement and accuse this generation. For they repented hearing the brief message which he got, but this generation isn't. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for she came from far away to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, but this generation dismisses the wisdom of Jesus.
This passage, particularly shows the sorrow Jesus had seeing the people to whom he's been preaching never repenting. The love which Jesus had for them, due to which he came to earth in the first place, now saw what lies ahead for them. Jesus, in this instance, more or less spoke like a parent seeing their children doing something wrong and not heeding to the multiple warnings and rejecting the chances for change. The solicitude which Jesus had marked the undertone of his doleful words.
Jesus foreboded them of what is to come if they continue in unbelief. An evil spirit, which leaves a man, returns after roaming the earth, only to find the man's heart unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. It then goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself and they go and live there. And the final condition of the man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this generation. Because, they had more chances than anyone to repent, yet they didn't accept Jesus, leaving their hearts unoccupied and open for more evil to get in again.
Jesus' true relatives
Towards the end of the chapter, Jesus gives the necessary requirement to be related to him.
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50
To summarize, Jesus came to heal and preach the message of repentance. Following the will of God, includes being merciful to fellow humans. Jesus came to serve, and he did, and set an example for us all. When he returns, however, he would come as a Judge. And on that day of judgement, our own words would be the ones to either acquit or condemn us. If we continue in unbelief, despite hearing the word of God again and again, our end state would be worse than the start.
See you in the next one! Take care of yourselves and each other!
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