The pharisees must have been following Jesus and the disciples and watching them very closely. This seemed to the Pharisees, like a good opportunity to inform Jesus of what was written in the law. To them it appeared that He did not know the law very well and was breaking it at every turn. In verse 12:7 Jesus confronts them with the fact that the rules that they had instituted and enforced, were not based on mercy for the people that God loved. God is merciful.
They obviously did not get the point. Jesus goes into their synagogue to teach. In the synagogue, was a man with a withered hand. I can imagine the suffering of this man. Try to imagine your husband or son with a withered hand. My young daughter has cerebral palsy and has trouble with her hands. They are weak and unable to do many things a person her age should be able to do. She is still unable to write anything but a very large scribbly version of her first name. Buttons are too difficult for her as are most snaps
Can you imagine the joy and gratitude he had for Jesus. His life was completely changed forever. I'm sure all who loved him rejoiced and I'm sure he heard the words of Jesus" it is lawful to do good on the sabbath"(12:12)
I want to move on to the thing that we will use to remember this chapter. Verses 12:31-32 is the passage where Jesus speaks of the "UNPARDONABLE SIN" The word "unpardonable has 12 letters so we will use it to remember this chapter.The verse about the unpardonable sin is a subject that Christians frequently discuss so it is good to be able to quickly turn to it.
Remember ***unpardonable has 12 letters. This is chapter 12***
Jesus goes on after this to address the Pharisees in pretty strong language. In verses 12:33-37, He addresses them much the same way that John the baptist did in chapter 3:7-10. John also calls them a brood of vipers and challenges them to produce good fruit but Jesus goes on to warn them that they will have to give an accounting for their words on the day of judgment and that they will either be justified or condemned by their words. (12:37). Remember, they had just accused Jesus of being the ruler of the demons in verse 12:24.
In verse 38, the Scribes and the Pharisees, seemed to completely ignore what Jesus had just said to them. They ask Him to do a miracle so they could see it. He calls them an evil and adulterous generation. After all, they had just seen Him heal a man's hand and set a demon possessed man free. His language towards them gets stronger and less forgiving as time goes on and their hatred of Him grows.
To finish the Chapter, verses 47-50 is an account of His family coming, and wanting, to speak to Him.
The same account of this story is given to us in the Mark 3:21-35. In Mark, we are given more details. Mark tells us that the house where Jesus and the disciples were staying was so full of people that they couldn't even eat a meal and that Jesus's family simply couldn't get in. So they sent word to Jesus that they wanted to speak to Him. Verse 3:21 in Mark tells us that His family came to get Him because they thought He had taken leave of His senses. Even His own family did not understand.
Ok, so time to start reading Chapter 13, keep going ladies, read, practice,read, practice,read, practice. Take as much time as you need. This is not a race. We are almost 1/2 way through the book of Matthew.
before you know it, you will be able to tell of something from every chapter. Soon you will be able to say "I know where that is" and quickly turn to it.
So Chapter 12 we will use 12:12 OF, HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE IS A MAN THAN A SHEEP, THEREFORE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH and the word UNPARDONABLE because it has 12 letters and the passage about the unpardonable sin is here.
Chapter 11 , the 11 looks like prison bars so we will remember, JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS IN PRISON. and if you let the 11 fall in it will make an X to remind you of the oxen passage.
Chapter 10, we will remember, 10 SENDS OUT THE 12, this is where Jesus send the disciples out to preach the good news.
Chapter 9 VERSE 9:9 JESUS CALL MATTHEW THE TAX GATHERER , IF YOU DOUBLE 9 YOU GET 18, VERSE 9:18 THIS IS THE START OF WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE STORY OF THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD FOR 12 YEARS AND JESUS BRINGING THE LITTLE GIRL BACK FROM THE DEAD
Chapter 8, verse 8:8 is LORD I AM NOT WORTHY TO HAVE YOU COME UNDER MY ROOF BUT JUST SAY THE WORD AND MY SERVANT WILL BE HEALED,it is the story of the centurion with the great faith. also, LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD, CALMS THE SEA AND PIGS OVER A CLIFF. there is lots here
Chapter 7, the words JUDGING AND PROPHET have 7 letters. this is where the plank in the eye and the fruit inspection passages are.
Chapter 6, is PRAYER AND WORRY, the Lord's prayer is here and some passages about worrying.
Chapter 5, BLESS YOUR HEART, the beatitudes are here and the passage about committing adultery in your heart are here
Chapter 4, THINK FAST, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and he CALLED 4 APOSTLES, peter, Andrew, James and John
Chapter 3, H2O JOHN THE BAPTIST BAPTIZES JESUS and we see the TRINITY as Jesus comes from the water (H2O)
Chapter 2, JESUS TURNS 2, WISE MEN COME, HEROD SLAUGHTERS THE 2 YEAR OLDS
Chapter 1, the first 17 verses are genealogy and with verse 18 if you lay it on it's side it looks like a SWADDLED BABY. It's the Christmas story.
I know that this is getting a little long. I'll see what I can do. God bless all of you. I'm praying for every one of you. You are " shodding your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace" (Ephes. 6:15). Til recently, I did not know that they shod the feet of oxen as well as horses. Just something to think about.
Much love
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| Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls for My yoke is easy. My burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30 |
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