This morning, I came across Matthew 12…a powerful statement of WHO Christ Jesus is. The Old Testament prophesied on his power, the people of Jesus’ day experienced His power…even Jesus himself stated his greatness. In this one chapter we find these statements:
The disciples found themselves hungry on the Sabbath. It was unlawful to ‘do work’ on this most holy day. The Pharisees went to great extent to make sure people followed the letter of the law…much to the dismay of Jesus. In Matthew 12:6, Jesus is in the heat of a debate and states the obvious to them: “I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.” I have to believe this shocked the religious leaders, as they tried to piece this together with their argument on what is and what isn’t lawful on the Sabbath.
A little later in the chapter Jesus begins healing many people in the crowd. Miracles abound from this man…so much so, that Matthew, who is a scholar of the old testament, records a prophecy of Isaiah that spoke of who Jesus, the Messiah, would be: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:1-4)
At the end of Matthew 12, Jesus casts a demon out of a man. This causes fear, wonder and amazement from the people who knew this man. They couldn’t resist speaking the begging question: “Could this be the Son of David?” aka…the Messiah?
Matthew holds nothing back. He knows Jesus for he truly is…the Son of God; the Messiah.
Do you know Jesus today? Today, you have opportunity to learn about Him. You have an opportunity to experience Him in His fullness today. Today, you can share Jesus with those around you. As Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”
Today, may Christ speak to, in and through you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CANPGvvq1gE