Day 282 – Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

Talking Points

• The Pharisees are found following Jesus, tally sheets in hand, ready to mark down every perceived violation of religious code. They are “watching Him closely,” ready to pounce and incite His destruction (Luke 6:7, Matthew 12:14). While they were consumed with the act of sacrifice and the letter of the law, Jesus reveals what had always been the character of God — compassion (Luke 12:7). Compassion translates as mercy toward men, or kindness with a desire to relieve misery. The trait He desires in men is exactly the essence of who He is!
• Jesus confirms the historicity of the prophet Jonah. It was an accurate account of an actual, historical event.
• Through the years, much discussion has been offered as to the knowledge of the “unpardonable sin.” What sin or act could be so grievous it would render a person beyond God’s salvation? Can a person do something so heinous as to be outside of God’s grace? The gospel accounts settle this dilemma. The sin for which there is no remedy is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:30-32, Mark 3:28-29). To understand, we must be sure that the role of the Holy Spirit is to testify to the truth of Jesus. He literally bears witness: Jesus is the Savior. To blaspheme is to deny and aggressively speak against His testimony. It is a thoughtful and deliberate rejection of the gospel. And, from this, God says there is no recourse.
• Blessed – “makarioi” – believers are in a happy, blessed, enviable position of receiving God’s provisions and favor. It is to be expected that disciples of Christ will be hated, ostracized, insulted, and slandered, and we should rejoice when those things happen – not as a result of our sin, but as a consequence of righteous living. And, when those things happen, we are to love, pray for, and do good to those who persecute us – “for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Luke 6:35).
• Throughout the Old Testament, there are warnings against being a “foolish” person. Foolish is not uninformed or ignorant. Rather, it is to have the correct information and to willfully choose not to operate accordingly. Jesus tells of two types of builders to illustrate this point. It’s not that the foolish builder is ignorant of the wise protocols. He simply chooses to ignore them and build on the weaker foundation, one that will not last. We should continually ask ourselves: are we building wisely on the Word of God?

Thoughts

Confronted by angry Pharisees and their accusations of condemnation, Jesus makes an astoundingly beautiful statement: “But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here” (Matthew 12:6). Greater than the temple.

Remember that the temple was to be great for a great God, for the name of the LORD, that all who drew near to it would know His greatness and see a reflection of His majesty. It was to be a place for the presence of the one true God to dwell with His people. The temple was in answer to David’s prayer that “God’s name would be established and magnified forever” (1 Chronicles 17:24). It was part of the LORD’s promise to establish His kingdom forever and to extend His mercy forever.

Oh, wasn’t Jesus saying so much when He — Immanuel, God with us, the Word made flesh, Son of David, Son of God, the Lord of the Sabbath, the fulfillment of the Law, the Great High Priest, the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God — spoke these words? Truly, Something greater is here!