Today’s passage: Matthew 12:22-32

Helpful thoughts:

• Jesus’ healing of this demon-possessed man was indisputable.  The Pharisees could not deny it.  So they accused Jesus of being a demonic trickster.
• In verse 28, Jesus says, if I am casting out demons by the power of the Spirit of God, then you cannot logically deny that I am the Messiah! (The problem was, the Pharisees were NOT being logical.  They simply refused to submit.)
• Blasphemy is a conscious denouncing of God.  And this can be forgiven!  Not believing in God or speaking poorly of Him is something that can be repented of.  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is said by Christ to be a different matter.  A primary ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout the NT is to point people to Jesus…and the Pharisees had been pointed to Jesus.  His Holy Spirit-powered works had been on display right before their eyes.  Nobody knew the OT better than these men and Jesus had proven over and over that He was the Christ.  Jesus is saying here in this passage that these Pharisees had once and for all chosen to reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit by denying what was obviously true.  They refused to acknowledge the Spirit was working through Him and that He was the Christ.  This was blasphemy, directly in opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit.  So, to once and for all deny Christ, to be determined to reject Him in spite of the Spirit’s work, is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the fact that Jesus’ miracles were indisputable encourage your faith and courage to share the Gospel?
2. What does the nature of these Pharisees’ rejection of Christ remind us of as it relates to our work in trying to prove to people that Jesus is our Lord and Savior?  Can we simply convince someone to get saved?  What has to happen in the sinner’s heart?
3. How can this passage make us more thankful for our faith?

Today’s passage: Matthew 12:15-21

Helpful thoughts:

• Jesus was aware of the Pharisees’ plotting.  He is omniscient.
• Verses 18-21 are from Isaiah 42:1-3.
• Two main takeaways from the prophecy:
  • Jesus was God’s servant.
  • Jesus withdrew as opposed to being on the offensive.  He did not try to persuade the Pharisees to not “destroy” Him.  He did not quench the smoldering wick.

Questions to consider:

1. What was Jesus’ ultimate service to God and for us?
2. Whose servant are we?
3. In what ways would it be right to have the same mindset and approach as Jesus when we face opposition?

Today’s passage: Matthew 12:1-14

Helpful thoughts:

• The Pharisees are now actively looking to find fault…and they will fail.
• The Pharisees were legalistic, meaning they thought that obedience to the Law was the basis of God’s favor.  Therefore, if they could find fault in Jesus, they thought they could prove that Jesus was out of favor with God.
• As is almost always the case, the Pharisees’ legalism caused them to:
  • Add to the Law their own extra requirements
  • Ignore exceptions to the Law from the contents of the Old Testament
  • Miss the heart of the Law (God didn’t give the Law to them for the reasons they were utilizing it)

Questions to consider:

1. What was Jesus’ basis for claiming these truths about the Law and the Sabbath day?  Who did He say He is?
2. What does, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” mean?
3. Why is it wrong for us to be legalistic?  What did Jesus accomplish for us?
4. Are there any “laws” that you have written and require people to follow?

Today’s passage: Matthew 11:25-30

Helpful thoughts:

• “These things” refers to the whole message…that Jesus is the Son of God, that the kingdom of God was at hand, that He is the savior of the world, etc.
• Jesus is testifying to His divinity in this passage.  All things have been handed to Him and He is the only one who can reveal the Father because He is God.
• Remember: Having faith like a child does NOT mean you are gullible and innocent.  It means you understand that you are totally reliant on someone else to provide for your basic need.  Our faith in salvation and the provision of our salvation is totally dependent on Him!

Questions to consider:

1. Why did the “wise and understanding” not understand and believe but “little children” did?  What was the deciding factor?
2. What does Jesus Christ give us rest from when we come to Him?  How is His yoke and burden easy and light?
3. How would this passage be applied to the idea of working to obtain salvation?

Today’s passage: Matthew 11:20-24

Helpful thoughts:

• In the cities where most of Christ’s mighty works had been done, there was little to no repentance.
• These cities were not showing animosity toward Christ.  They simply did not believe and obey.  Indifference to the Gospel and Jesus Christ is not an option.  It is sin.
• The fact that they had access to the message and the display of miracles of Jesus made their rejection of Him of greater consequence than other cities who never heard.  They were responsible for their knowledge.

Questions to consider:

1. Does seeing a miracle or hearing a great Gospel message guarantee a person will become a believer?  Why not? What all happens when you become a believer that goes beyond “Seeing is believing”?
2. How does the amazing access we have to the Word of God make us more responsible?
3. Are there any areas in your own life where you are being indifferent to the things of God?  Where might you need to repent?

Today’s passage: Matthew 11:1-19

Helpful thoughts:

• It is not ironic that right after Jesus spoke to His disciples of picking up their crosses and following Him that John the Baptist is reported to be in prison. (And, he is in prison because his ministry was a success!)
• Jesus comforts and assures John the Baptist by pointing his attention to the prophet Isaiah (35:5, 61:1) and encourages him to believe.
• Jesus taught the crowds who John the Baptist was:
  • He was strong in his conviction (Not shaken by the wind)
  • He was selfless (Not wearing “soft” clothing)
  • He was more than just a prophet (Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1 and refers to Malachi 4:5-6 in calling him “Elijah”)
• The crowds were unlike John the Baptist
  • They were like spoiled children (Sitting around “in the marketplace”) who complain when they don’t get what they want
  • They criticized people and looked for fault when they were unwilling to accept the truth

Questions to consider:

1. Why was John’s imprisonment not a failure?  What was God’s mission for Him?  Did he succeed?
2. Do you think John the Baptist would have liked everyone talking about him?  Why or why not?  What was his goal?
3. Will people always be kind in their response to our message?
4. How does the fruit of our ministry (People’s live being changed for the glory of God) vindicate or justify the message?  What is still happening even when there are other people who would not agree and fight against God?  Does being mean, pointing fingers, and using big words make the Gospel not true?

Today’s passage: Matthew 10:40-42

Helpful thoughts:

• When we think of who “you” is (“Whoever receives you”), we need to look back at the rest of chapter 10.
• This is the reception of a person who is defined by their following of Jesus and is proclaiming the Gospel.
• People who receive that kind of person, cannot do so without also receiving what they stand for/live for.
• Both people share the reward!
• “These little ones” are disciples as well.  Serving those who are young in the faith is a great ministry!

Questions to consider:

1. Can you think of some ways our church has “received” and partnered with other Christians over the years?  Praise God!
2. What does the fact that God not only saves us, but also rewards us for living for Him by His grace make you think about the goodness and kindness of God?
3. How does a focus and passion for the glory of God and the spread of the Gospel impact your relationships with other believers?

Today’s passage: Matthew 10:34-39

Helpful thoughts:

• There is a war going on, right now.
• If you are in Christ, you are on the Lord’s side.
• This passage, among many others, reminds us that we are not the center of the universe (or even our church or our own homes).  It’s not about you.
• Jesus calls us to love Him supremely, no matter the cost.

Questions to consider:

1. Why isn’t it wrong to call other people our enemy?  What has Jesus commanded us to do to our enemies?
2. Why is the pull so strong to put our family and friends before Jesus?  If we deny Jesus to make our own mother or father happy, what are we doing? Who are we trying to truly benefit?  Is that love?
3. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Today’s passage: Matthew 10:26-33

Helpful thoughts:

• Carried over from yesterday’s passage, becoming more like Christ will result in opposition.
• Jesus gives three ways to NOT be afraid:
  • Speak with holy boldness (“in the light” and “on the housetops”)
  • Keep an eternal perspective (vs. 28)
  • Remember your heavenly Father
• People who know you for a period of time will know that you are a Christian if you are following Jesus.

Questions to consider:

1. What is our source of courage?
2. What is the message that must be proclaimed?  How would we acknowledge Christ before men?
3. What is being valued and worshiped in the heart of a Christian who tries to hide their faith?  What would confession and repentance look like?