Rejection
Leading To The Cross
– Matthew Twelve –
Matthew twelve is a section of scripture dealing
with the rejection of Jesus by the Jews that ultimately led to His crucifixion.
"Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might
destroy Him." (Matthew 12:14)
Jesus
showed that many of the ideas advanced by the Jews concerning the Sabbath day
were in error. He explained that even they allowed works of necessity and mercy
on the Sabbath. He wanted them to know that "the Son of man is Lord even
of the Sabbath Day." When "the Pharisees went out, and held a council
against him, how they might destroy him" Jesus just quietly continued to
teach and work miracles showing that He was indeed the Christ.
The scribes
and Pharisees accused Jesus of doing His miracles by the power of Satan. Such
an attitude was blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and it would not be forgiven.
Jesus reminded them that, "every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
These
people demanded a sign from heaven. Jesus said that Jonah was their sign.
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so
shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth." He concluded this chapter by saying; "whosoever shall do the will of my Father
which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
The
Pharisees rejected the Savior – Matthew 12:1-21: The Bible is plain in showing
that it is wrong to fail to be as strict as God intents. But, the Bible also
shows that it is wrong to be stricter than God intended us to be. The Pharisees
desired to trap Jesus. They had no interest in learning truth. If they had
desired truth they would have "read in the law" concerning the
Sabbath. They would also have learned that, "the Son of Man is Lord even
of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:8)
The
Pharisees asked, "is it lawful to heal on the
Sabbath?" Jesus showed that they were more concerned about a sheep needing
help than a man needing help. They are without excuse, yet they rejected God's
Son and sought opportunity to kill Him. "Then the Pharisees went out and
plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him." (Matthew 12:14) Their
envy of Jesus led to spiritual blindness, and hardness of heart.
God
described Jesus as "my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my
soul is well pleased." (Matthew 12:18) The Pharisees, through their
blindness and prejudice, rejected Jesus -- their only hope. The blindness of
the Pharisee lead to disobedience to the Lord's
commands. "And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."
(I John 3:23)
The
warning from the Savior – Matthew 12:22-37: After Jesus healed the
demon-possessed man the multitude asked, "could
this be the Son of David?" (Matthew 12:23) The Pharisees spoke scornfully
of the Christ calling Him -- "this fellow." (Matthew 12:24) Jesus
warned them to guard their words so as not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit -- a
sin that cannot be forgiven. Jesus warned, "For by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37) The
prayer that we all need to pray is, "Lord, put a watch before the door of
my lips!"
Blasphemy
is pictured as a horrible sin, but what is it? Many are frightened that they
might be guilty of some form of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. The word
"blasphemy" means to injure by speaking against. In this text Jesus
said that those that blasphemed or spoke against the Spirit could not be
forgiven. To deny the personality of the Spirit is to blaspheme Him. When these
Jews said miracles that were done by His power were done by the power of the
Devil they blasphemed Him. To be hardened against the gospel plan of salvation
is likewise to blaspheme the Holy Ghost. With the crucifixion of the Messiah
and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost the age of
redemption came. If men rejected that which was verified by the Spirit what
else could God offer them? They had hardened themselves against the gospel plan
and therefore, blasphemed Holy Ghost. Those that continue with such a spiritual
disposition have no means of obtaining forgiveness of sins.
The
claims of the Savior – Matthew 12:38-45: Jesus had every right to call
on people to repent and to be righteous, (1) He is greater than the temple
(Matthew 12:6), (2) He is greater that Jonah (Matthew
Jesus
simply repeated some signs they had already rejected. He showed them that just
like Jonah was preserved three days by miracle in the fish's belly, that He
would be raised from the dead on the third day. What happened with Jonah led
the people of
Jesus used
a powerful parable (that of an unclean spirit returning) to show the Jews that
they were even worse than before because of the rejection of Jesus. They were
full of evil words and evil actions. Wicked words and sinful actions are the
overflowing of a heart that is filled with a spirit of wickedness. They were
truly a "wicked generation." Many of these Jews would be satisfied
with Jesus under no circumstances.
The
invitation of the Savior – Matthew 12:46-50: Mary had other children after the
birth of our Lord. Matthew
Jesus
invited any that are willing to obey to be part of His family. "For
whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My
brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:50) If we obey Jesus we enter
the family of God, with God as our Father and Jesus as our elder brother. What
a beautiful lesson it is to see how much Jesus loved His disciples. As He loved
His own mother, He loved His disciples even more. The Lord still loves His
children today. His heart will always be full of affection for His faithful
followers!
The only
way to show love to God is through obedience. Do you love the Lord enough to
obey? To become a Christian you must hear the Gospel (Romans