Matthew - Week 34

Many People Followed 

READ 

Matthew 12:15-16 

15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 

Jesus left the area because the religious leaders wanted to kill Him for healing a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Note that even though the religious leaders rejected Him, “many people followed him.” He healed the sick among them but didn’t want them to tell others who He was. Many seemed to believe in Him as the Messiah but it would only anger others and limit His ministry. Some who followed Him, however, were following only for what He could do for them physically. 

REFLECT 

It is great to know what Jesus can do for you physically, but it is far better to know what He can do for you spiritually. 

RESPOND 

A “disciple” is literally a “learner.” Some followed Him to learn what He could for them spiritually but others only for what He could do for them physically. John 6:66 seems to refer to those followers who were only learning about Him, and when they heard more than they could agree with they turned away from Him.  

The Beloved Servant 

READ 

Matthew 12:17-19 

17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: 18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.” 

These verses refer closely to what Isaiah penned in Isaiah 42:1-2. The Old Testament has many prophecies about the coming Messiah of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ. These verses describe what kind of person He would be.  

REFLECT 

As you read the Old Testament, be alert to prophecies that tell of the coming Lord Jesus Christ. 

RESPOND 

With a friend, read Isaiah 53:1-12. This passage tells much about the coming Savior. It has been used effectively in witnessing to the Jewish people today.  

Hope of the World 

READ 

Matthew 12:20-21 

20 “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. 21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.” 

These verses echo what is written in Isaiah 42:3-4. There will come a time when Jesus will “cause justice to be victorious.” The world is filled with hopelessness now, but later “his name will be the hope of all the world.” There will come the day when Jesus will reign on earth for a thousand years (see Revelation 20:1-6).  

REFLECT 

Do you have as much confidence in the promises of Jesus’ second advent as you do for the ones of His first advent?  

RESPOND 

If the prophecies for His first advent were literally fulfilled, why should one think those for His second advent will be any different? Read Luke 1:31-33. Some refer to this passage as the prophecy of His first advent and the neglected prophecies of His second advent.  

Could It Be? 

READ 

Matthew 12:22-23 

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” 

This passage reveals that not all in the crowd of the many who followed Jesus were believers in Him. After He healed the demon-possessed man they asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” In the Bible, “son” is used in the sense of “descendant.” Up to this time they had not been fully persuaded of this.  

REFLECT 

Although the miracle caused some to ask this question, what do you think the Pharisees thought? 

Think about some people who want Jesus for their physical problems but do not want Him for their spiritual problems—they do not want Him as their Savior. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a fellow believer about how blessed you are now to have both the Old and New Testaments to read. The Old Testament gives prophecies about the coming Christ and the New Testament provides eyewitness accounts of who He was and what He did. He rose from the dead on the third day after He was crucified, proving that He was God (see 1 Corinthians 15:4). 

Grasping at Straws 

READ 

Matthew 12:24 

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 

The Pharisees could not deny the miracle of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man. This meant they had to come up with an excuse for Jesus being able to do so. They accused Jesus of getting His power from Satan, whom they considered to be the prince of demons. This was a ridiculous charge and Jesus will point out their lack of common sense in saying this.  

REFLECT 

Have you had an occasion when someone tried to explain away something spiritual? Perhaps they have seen the change in your life after you trusted in Jesus and have tried to explain it by some other means.  

RESPOND 

There may be a debate about physical miracles happening today, but no one can question your testimony about the difference Jesus has made in your life after you trusted in Him as Savior. That has been a spiritual miracle. Talk with another believer how to effectively share your testimony.