MATTHEW LESSON 24
We will begin this lesson in Matthew 12:1 "At that time Jesus
went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an
hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat." Matthew
12:2 "But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy
disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day."
These Pharisees were caught up in the law. They did not realize
that the Word of God had taken the form of flesh, and thiwais He that
was walking through the corn field. If you will, the fulfilled law.
These Pharisees were so caught up in the "thou shalt nots" in the
Bible, they had no time to do anything for God.
Matthew 12:3 "But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David
did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;" Matthew
12:4 "How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread,
which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with
him, but only for the priests?"
You see David, the beloved of God, truly understood God. God is
not out to get us. God is our very best friend and knows when we are
hungry and thirsty. He will make a way for us to meet our needs, not
our wants.
Matthew 12:5 "Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the
sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are
blameless?"
You see, what Jesus was trying to get them to do was to understand
the "spirit" of the law, and not the "literal" law.
Matthew 12:6 "But I say unto you, That in this place is [one]
greater than the temple."
Jesus was trying to explain that the building is not what we
should worship. We are to worship God with our spirit.
Matthew 12:7 "But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will
have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the
guiltless." Matthew 12:8 "For the Son of man is Lord even of the
sabbath day."
You see, if they truly understood God, they would have realized
who Jesus was and would have not criticized Him for anything. You see,
He was not subject to their ordinances.
Matthew 12:9 "And when he was departed thence, he went into their
synagogue:" Matthew 12:10 "And, behold, there was a man which had
[his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal
on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him."
You see, these religious people were trying to find some reason
to get rid of Him. They knew that Jesus would not let the sabbath keep
Him from helping someone in need.
Matthew 12:11 "And he said unto them, 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?" Matthew
12:12 "How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is
lawful to do well on the sabbath days."
He was telling these people, in a way that they could understand,
what He was doing. They had sheep, and He knew that if they had a
sheep missing, they would go and find him, even on the sabbath. Jesus
is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He takes care of His sheep.
Matthew 12:13 "Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched [it] forth; and it was restored whole, like as
the other."
Obedience to Jesus brings restoration. This was the case here, as
well. As soon as this man did what Jesus said, His hand was restored.
Matthew 12:14 "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council
against him, how they might destroy him."
I believe they were jealous. They had no power in their lives.
Matthew 12:15 "But when Jesus knew [it], he withdrew himself from
thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;"
Matthew 12:16 "And charged them that they should not make him known:"
You see, these people would not accept the Saviour, so He just
moved on to others who would. The reason He did not want it told, was
so He could work freely.
Matthew 12:17 "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
Esaias the prophet, saying," Matthew 12:18 "Behold my servant, whom I
have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put
my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles."
Matthew 12:19 "He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man
hear his voice in the streets." Matthew 12:20 "A bruised reed shall
he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth
judgment unto victory." Matthew 12:21 "And in his name shall the
Gentiles trust."
You see, Jesus will not force Himself on anyone, but when the
religious people turned Him down, He turned to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:22 "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a
devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and
dumb both spake and saw." Matthew 12:23 "And all the people were
amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?"
These people knew Jesus as one of them. They thought He was only
flesh and blood. They knew for sure that they could not heal this man.
They did not realize whose presence they were in.
Matthew 12:24 "But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This
[fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the
devils."
This was really a ridiculous statement. The devil would not cast
himself out. He does not want us to be free.
Matthew 12:25 "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them,
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and
every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:" Matthew
12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how
shall then his kingdom stand?" Matthew 12:27 "And if I by Beelzebub
cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? therefore
they shall be your judges." Matthew 12:28 "But if I cast out devils
by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."
He was warning them, here, that they were speaking out against God.
Matthew 12:29 "Or else how can one enter into a strong man's
house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and
then he will spoil his house."
I believe this Scripture, above, was telling us how to cast out evil
spirits. First bind them, and then cast them out.
Matthew 12:30 "He that is not with me is against me; and he that
gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."
You cannot straddle the fence. You are either the friend of
Christ, helping win souls to Him, or you are His enemy, driving people
away from God. There is no middle road. We cannot go uncommitted.
Matthew 24 Questions
1. What day was it when Jesus went through the corn field?
2. What did the disciples do? Why
3. What did the Pharisees say about it?
4. The Pharisees are caught up in what?
5. What did David do when he was hungry?
6. What does the word David mean?
7. God is not out to get us, who is He?
8. On the sabbath, the priest do what?
9. What is Jesus trying to get them to do pertaining to the law?
10. In V-6, Jesus is greater than what?
11. Finish this statement. For the son of man is Lord _______.
12. When Jesus left these men, where did He go?
13. What did Jesus, restore in the synagogue?
14. Why did they ask Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the sabbath?
15. What animal did Jesus use to give them an example of why He healed
on the sabbath?
16. Jesus is our ___________.
17. What brings restoration?
18. The author's assumption of what was wrong with them was they were
what?
19. After the incident, when Jesus healed them all, He said what?
20. Why?
21. When they would not accept Him, What did He do?
22. Who prophesied about this ahead of time?
23. Jesus was tired of the stiff-necked church and turned to whom?
24. The people were amazed when Jesus healed the dumb man, why?
25. What was the Pharisees' statement about healing the dumb?
26. What did Jesus say to them to make them realize how ridiculous their statement was?
27. If this was the Spirit of God, what had happened?
28. What we do first, before we cast out the demon?
29. If you are not for Jesus, you are___________,
30. You are either the friend of Jesus are you are His __________.
Home