Tuesday, January 29 – Matthew 12
In the Hebrew language, the number for seven is the origin
for the word “Sabbath.” In Exodus 20,
the Israelites were told that this should be a holy day, dedicated to God.
12:1-14: Why was
it okay for Jesus to disobey the Sabbath laws of the Pharisees? Were they God’s laws, or laws created by
men? How is Jesus the “Lord of the
Sabbath?” How do you think the Pharisees
felt about Jesus’ response?
How does Jesus challenge the Pharisees when they question
His willingness to heal someone on the Sabbath? In what ways does He point out their
hypocrisy?
Note already here in verse 14 that they begin their plot to
kill Jesus.
12:15-21: Note again
Matthew’s usage of Old Testament quotation to indicated Jesus as the fulfillment
of Messianic prophecies. Here he quotes
one of the famous “Servant songs” from Isaiah.
12:25-29: The
Pharisees accuse Jesus of being Beelzebub, the prince of demons. How
does Jesus challenge the logic of this claim?
Jesus speaks of a “house divided?” What does He mean by this? How is this a warning to congregations?
12:31 Speaks of a sin
which cannot be forgiven. This has been
called the sin against the Holy Spirit.
It is when a person is convinced of the truth of God’s actions in an
individual and chooses to blaspheme against them. One who has committed this sin would not be
worried if he had committed it because his heart is hardened against God.
12:38-45: When the Pharisees
ask for a sign, what sign does Jesus point to?
Jesus claims that a greater king than Solomon has
arisen. To whom does He refer?
Jesus warns about evil spirits and their desire to occupy a
house. How do people today open up
footholds for the devil to exploit?
12:46-50: Is Jesus
dishonoring his mother and brothers here, or is he somehow commending His
disciples?
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