One sabbath day, Jesus performed a good miracle…he healed a man with a withered hand. (Matthew 12:10)
To the gazing crowd, Jesus had asked…
“What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.” -Matthew 12:11, 12 (kjv)
Although JESUS made a valid point, the wicked hearts of the pharisees were clearly made evident by their actions…
“Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.” -Matthew 12:14 (kjv)
If they had been the one with the withered hand, would they had been so angry? I don’t think so!
Their own SELFISHNESS and PRIDE blinded their willingness to see the good that Jesus had done. Their JEALOUSY, LUST for POWER, and CRAVING to CLING to their own SINS, etc. kept them from accepting JESUS’ goodness, and believing Him to be the Son of God.
Today we are seeing the SAME ungodly actions against Jesus and His followers. Christians, who lively a godly life, exhibit the presence of Christ. This causes others to take a glimpse at their own sinful hearts, and it stirs up drastic hatred.
II Timothy 3:12 (kjv) says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
If we’re living a godly life, we have to realize that there can be much trial and difficulty in taking a stand for righteous living.
Jesus said in John 15:18 (kjv), “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
Luke 21:17 (kjv) says, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
Indeed, it’s distressing to see others who are eagerly waiting to point their fingers, and to persecute Christians…to mock and and jeer at anything good!
But, God’s Word says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” – Isaiah 5:20 (kjv)
The wicked in heart will receive their due reward. We do not need to fret over their evilness, but I do agree that it is frustrating to see so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world suffering terrible persecution. Let’s be diligent to pray for them to have protection and given extra measures of God’s grace.
Now to the GRAND FINALE of God’s mercy and goodness…
Here’s the REAL reason I wanted to direct our thoughts to Matthew 12 today…
Matthew 12:15 (kjv) says, “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;”
Despite the fact that there were a lot of pharisees who were intent on destroying Jesus, He went about His normal business of mercifully doing GOOD, LOVING and HELPING others!
Should we not also be busy about our Heavenly Father’s business?
We see in Matthew 12:15 that there were GREAT multitudes following Jesus. There was a LOT who needed JESUS! And Jesus healed them ALL!!!
I LOVE the fact that the Bible specifically said, “and he healed them ALL.” (Matthew 12:15)
Jesus doesn’t look to see who is the most talented, the smartest, the fairest, the tallest, a certain color, etc. He reaches out to ALL of us – and cares about EACH one of us! YOU and I!
Stay FAITHFUL in the Lord, my friend! Whether you’re in a valley or on a mountaintop today, know that Jesus cares specifically about YOU among the multitude of people in this world. He reaching out to YOU because He loves YOU!!!
Rhonda White, HCH
