Matthew 12:14-21
¹⁴But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. ¹⁵But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there.
Many followed Him, and He healed them all, ¹⁶and warned them not to tell who He was. ¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
¹⁸Behold, 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 proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
¹⁹He will not quarrel, nor cry out; Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. ²⁰A battered reed He will not break off, And a smoldering wick He will not put out, Until He leads justice to victory. ²¹And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”
Devotional
The Pharisees are harsh, ruthless rulers.
They want to get rid of Jesus (Matthew 12:14).
But Jesus sees through that. He avoids confrontation with these “theologians” (Matthew 12:15a).
He does not want to die prematurely, but at the time appointed by His heavenly Father.
Therefore, when He died on the cross at Calvary, Jesus was not the victim of his adversaries. He made Himself available voluntarily at the time His Father had appointed.
Again Jesus says that one should not trumpet what He does (Matthew 12:15b,16; Cf. Matthew 8:4; 9:30). He does not want people to be eager for miracles and signs, but to come to a real knowledge of Him and His Father, from a personal relationship.
He Himself has a very intimate relationship with His heavenly Father (Matthew 12:18a). Such a relationship is not only available for Jews, but also for Gentiles (Matthew 12:21).
In Matthew 12:18b we read: “…He will declare judgment to the Gentiles.” The word translated ‘judgment’ here and in verse 20 may also, and better, be rendered ‘justice’.
Christ brings to all nations the glad tidings of justice.
Thus peace will come to earth. And one day Jesus will make God’s rule of law, fully triumph (Matthew 12:20).
Jesus is a compassionate, loving counselor.
He is not a clamorous advertiser who loudly promotes his truth (Matthew 12:16,19).
In an oriental market, the merchants voices could produce an enormous volume.
In our markets, some exhibitors can do that too!
But that’s not how Jesus wants to act.
The inconspicuous is what stands out in his performance.
Beautiful is also what we read in Matthew 12:20a.
Jesus cares about the little and the despised.
The Pharisees are harsh and ruthless with those who are weak.
Jesus gives hope to the hopeless.
He gives new courage to the worn out (cf. Matthew 11:28-30).
What a healing effect comes from the association with the Lord Jesus: hope, strength, life!
It is wonderful to have a very personal relationship with God through Him and to strengthen this bond.
Question
- How do you feel about the weak and the worn out people around you? (Compare Matthew 12:20a.)
Prayer Suggestions
- Thank the Lord for His mercy.
- Ask the Lord to help you become more like Him
□ ■ □
Read more of these messages at: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
Download your Bible pictures from: http://bijbelplaatjes.nl
Email: devotionals@harryschoemaker.nl
Twitter: @schoemakerharry
About Author
