Faithful on Fridays Blog

Chapters 11-12

Jesus’ ministry is now in full swing with miracles, healings, preaching and teaching the crowds of followers and Matthew is among them … watching and listening. I’ll bet his ears perked up every time Jesus mentioned an Old Testament passage, making a mental note. Earlier, when John the Baptizer came on the scene it was prophecy fulfilled; he was sent to ‘cry out, preparing the way for the Lord, making His paths straight’ (3:3). However, now John’s imprisoned for his message and experiencing a crisis of faith. After assuring John’s disciples that ‘yes’ He’s the One, Jesus graciously quoted Mal. 3:1 with more reassurance that ‘yes’, he’s the messenger preparing His way. 

Most of Jesus’ mighty works were done in the Galilee area called the ‘evangelistic triangle’ of three cities: Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. He declared they deserved the guilt reserved for unrepentant sinners, as John and Jesus both proclaimed. Only Matthew includes Jesus’ comparison of the destruction of Sodom, they didn’t enjoy Messiah’s presence as these cities, therefore, the judgment of Hades awaits them (11:23). Without repentance there’s no salvation.

As the disciples traveled with Jesus the Pharisees were also watching and listening, apparently for ways to accuse Him, and therefore, nullify His Messianic claim. Chapter 12 begins on the Sabbath, a perfect opportunity to indict this rule-breaker. Thankfully, Jesus knew their hearts and confronted them with the example of their beloved King David and quoted Hos. 6:6 one more time: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, God spoke through the prophet. Jesus cared about people, the hungry, poor, broken, bound sinners like all of us; that’s the heart of a true leader. He pushed the limits on these hard-hearted Pharisees by healing a man on the Sabbath showing He’s the prophesied Servant of God (Is. 42:1-3). That must’ve really irked them. That passage, they clearly recognized, explains who Messiah is and what He’ll do.

• He’s chosen, loved, pleasing to God, and having the direction of the Spirit. 
• He’ll quietly proclaim justice to Israel but also to the nations as Abraham’s Covenant promised.
• He won’t break people down with legalism and rule-following, but with gentleness and goodness leading to repentance.
• The final outcome will be victory in His Name bringing eternal hope to everyone.

Lastly, only Matthew includes Jesus’ parallel of Jonah’s three days and nights in the fish’s belly and His own three days and nights in the heart of the earth when He descended into Hades only to rise again. As Matthew attentively listened, recognizing these references, it settles into his heart: This is the Messiah. He’s beginning to understand the frustration and disappointment of Christ as he recognizes the difference between rule-following and relationship-building with God. Lest you condemn the Pharisees, maybe a checkup on your heart is in order. Do you condemn others who disagree with you or do you desire to show them mercy rather than your judgment? Jesus’ perspective is clear; mercy triumphs over judgment (Jms. 2:13b).