October 4 A READ MATTHEW 12–15
Parables of the King
OVERVIEW
Even as the multitudes press around Jesus to experience his healing touch, the religious leaders are plotting his downfall and ultimate destruction. Those who refuse to acknowledge the clear evidence of his miracles rashly attribute his power to Satan. To them, Jesus responds with warnings of judgment and condemnation. But to all who will accept his claims, he offers the promise of blessing and reward. In the midst of this drama involving both growing reception and growing rejection, Jesus portrays the Kingdom of Heaven in seven parables—earthly stories portraying heavenly realities.
MY DAILY WALK
It’s one thing to have a legitimate question for which you are seeking an answer. Jesus welcomed seekers and questioners, promising to teach them, take their burdens, and grant them rest (11:28-30). But it’s quite another thing to demand a sign and refuse to be convinced in spite of ample evidence (12:38-42).
Different people are portrayed in today’s reading, and each responded to Jesus with a different heart attitude.
• The teachers of religious law said, “We want you to show us a miraculous sign” (12:38).
• The people of Nazareth said, “He’s just the carpenter’s son” (13:55).
• The apostle Peter exclaimed, “Tell me to come to you” (14:28).
Think about your own relationship with God. In what ways are you honestly and sincerely seeking answers from God with a humble disposition to obey? In what areas are you demanding that God conform to your will, with an attitude that says, “My mind is made up, God, so don’t confuse me with your plan for my life”?
FAITH IS TO BELIEVE WHAT WE DO NOT SEE, AND THE REWARD OF THIS FAITH IS TO SEE WHAT WE BELIEVE.
INSIGHT
Teaching Techniques from the Master Teacher | Matt. 13:1-9
Notice in Jesus’ parables how his teaching was characterized by simplicity, informality, and specificity. His goal was to communicate truth to those who were genuinely seeking it, not to impress his audience.
INSIGHT
Which Kingdom Come? | Matt. 13:44-51
“The Kingdom of Heaven” occurs thirty-two times in Matthew and zero times anywhere else in the Bible. Why? Because Matthew was a Jew writing specifically to Jews to convince them that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. And many Jewish readers considered (and still consider) God’s name too holy to be mentioned too often—or even at all. When Matthew writes “the Kingdom of Heaven,” he means “the Kingdom of God.”
A Discussion about the Sabbath
1At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’* 8For the Son of Man* is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
9Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant
15But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17This 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.
19He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
20He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”*
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
22Then 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. 23The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”
24But 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.”
25Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
30“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
The Sign of Jonah
38One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”
39But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
41“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42The queen of Sheba* will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.
43“When an evil* spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”
The True Family of Jesus
46As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”*
48Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”