Sermon On the Net

 

 

WHO IS MY MOTHER?

 

 

Sometimes I get caught up in the message and forget to say hello, so I say hello to you all and pray that all is well both physically and spiritually.

 

Matthew 12: Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grain fields one day and the disciples were hungry so they picked and ate the heads of grain. The Jews were quick to criticize Jesus because they were picking (working) on the Sabbath which was unlawful. Jesus was also quick to point out what David and his men did when they entered the Temple and ate the Temple bread. And He explained how the Priests broke the same rule every Sabbath by doing the work associated with the daily sacrifices. Jesus told them in verse 7, “…I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” He demonstrated this when He went into the Temple on the Sabbath and healed a man of his ailments, and of course they criticized that miracle also. He asked them if they would pull their sheep from a pit if it had fallen in on the Sabbath, and isn’t a man more valuable than a sheep?

 

The Pharisees went out to devise a plan to kill Jesus. Jesus knew their thoughts so He left and continued to heal people to fulfill prophecy. Then they brought Him a demon possessed man and He commanded the demons to leave him and they did. No sooner had He performed that miracle they accused Him of having demonic powers. Jesus tried to reason with them by explaining that a house divided cannot stand. Of course they wouldn’t listen because they had hardened hearts as was foretold by the Prophets of old. Jesus told them that if they were not with Him they were against Him (Here we see Jesus telling us that there is no neutral ground as so many try to claim). He explains to them that a man can be forgiven if he curses Him but no one will be forgiven if they curse the Holy Spirit, as this is an unforgivable sin. As Jesus so aptly put it in verse 37: “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”   

 

Some of the Pharisees asked Him to show them a sign, (can you believe these people?) and he told them about Jonah which was a sign and He was also going to be in the heart of the earth for three days and nights. The men of Nineveh repented when they heard Jonah and now they had the same opportunity with One greater than he and they still refused to believe. Jesus proclaimed them to be a wicked generation. While Jesus was still talking they came to Him to say His mother and brothers were outside and wanted to talk to Him and His reply was that everyone who believes is His mother and brother. His words in verse 50, “…whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven is my mother and sister and brother.”

 

Two interesting thoughts occur to me in this chapter, the first being Jesus’ request of His requiring mercy and not sacrifice, as religious people are prone to proclaim and practice. The second is ‘doing the will of the Father’ which is two fold; to worship Him and to love your neighbor. These commands of Jesus replace the Law. Friends, to do this one must first know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Seek Him and He will find you.