June 13, 2025; Matthew 12:1-37

Daily Dose of Hope

June 13, 2025

Scripture - Matthew 12:1-37

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are Lord of all.  How often we forget that.  There are times we even put ourselves in your place.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to remember that you are God and we are not.  Help us simply live the way you have called us, serve the way you have called us, and love the way you have called us.  We know that we fall short over and over again.  We need you.  All the time, we need you.  In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Friday!

Today, we start Matthew 12.  The text begins with Jesus’ disciples walking through fields of grain on the Sabbath and picking them to eat because they were hungry.  This infuriates the Pharisees who have made the Sabbath incredibly complicated for the people.  In fact, they had instituted a complex system of Sabbath laws of their own that was oppressive and legalistic. There were strict laws regarding how to observe the Sabbath, which included 39 categories of forbidden activities. In essence, these religious leaders had made themselves lords of the Sabbath, thus making themselves lords over the people. 

As he often did, Jesus was pushing back against this.  He speaks about how David and his men ate consecrated bread from the Temple when they were hungry, even though it was off-limits.  There are times when rules make sense and there are times when they don’t.  People are always more important than rules.  The original intent of the Sabbath was to give humans rest, not to create a more confusing and restrictive guidelines.  The Pharisees had lost sight of this. 

Jesus declares that he is Lord of the Sabbath.  This really gets the Pharisees upset.  By saying this, he is declaring that he has authority over the Sabbath.  Jesus can overrule the Pharisees’ rules and regulations because he is the one who created the Sabbath in the first place.  He has the power to correctly interpret the meaning of the Sabbath and the rules pertaining to it. 

Keep in mind, that by saying this, Jesus is making a bold statement about who he is.  The Pharisees are looking for something that will allow them to arrest Jesus.  Of course, Jesus is God and he knows this, but it doesn’t stop him at all.  He is making a point so he then heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath.  It’s after this that they begin to plot how to kill him.

How often do we get distracted with our own rules and traditions?  And do those rules and traditions get in the way of doing the work of Jesus?  Do they become obstacles to people knowing Jesus more or receiving healing?  While I think we are pretty good about keeping this in check at New Hope, I think it’s something we need to be very much aware of.  We have to be careful what is most important to us – our traditions or people? 

Jesus knows that they are plotting his death so he goes away in an attempt to retreat.  But that is nearly impossible for Jesus now.  People continue to come to him for healing and Jesus is not about to turn them away.  Every interruption is important to Jesus.

The Pharisees accuse Jesus of healing by the power of Beezelbub, who was the prince of demons.  Jesus points out the absurdity of this.  Why would he cast out demons with the power of the prince of demons?  It just doesn’t make sense. 

Jesus then makes an incredibly bold statement regarding the Pharisees.  He says that whoever is not with him is against him.  Whoever is not helping expand the Kingdom of God is by definition working against it.  The Pharisees, who think they are defending God, are actually working with Satan, inhibiting the work of God through Jesus.  They are putting themselves up against the Holy Spirit. 

It makes sense to judge the quality of a tree by the fruit it produces.  The Pharisees are demonstrating that their spiritual fruit is rotten by accusing Jesus.  They are showing the true nature of the hearts. 

What kind of fruit are you producing?  If someone were to look at your life right now, an objective observer, how would they rate your fruit? 

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki