Although we know the grace offered to us through Christ's sacrifice, we often hold onto the law as well. The ironic thing is that when we focus on the law or when we see others focus on the law (such as the Pharisees in this story) it is typically when the offense was made by someone else - we aren't so focused on the law for ourselves. May God continue to help me extend His grace to others in light of my own great failures.
I apologize, but due to my need for sleep (as I type this Wed. night) and a desire to keep these blogs from being several pages long, I will refrain from blogging about Matthew 12:22-45 . But if you have insight, questions, or comments on these verses please comment!
I liked the story of the centurion who asked for Jesus to heal his servant and had such great faith that he knew Jesus could do this work without having to see the servant or be near him. And Jesus healed the servantin that very moment. This gives me hope that when we do offer up our prayer requests for those we know who are suffering, that we are doing so in faith that He will hear us and heal those we love.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said Casey is so true. We never really stop to apply the consequences of breaking the law to ourselves only to others when they do wrong. How sad is that?!?! Jesus is offering freedom and we want to hold onto the chains that the law puts on us? What a silly people we are!
ReplyDeleteOn 22-45 The order of verses is interesting. In my NKJV study bible the titles are as follows A house divided can not Stand, The unpardonable sin, A tree is known by its fruit, the Scribes and Pharisees ask for a sign and An Unclean spirit returns.
One thing that struck me about today's reading was that the church leaders never got it.(12:2, 14) In fact they were the ones accusing others, and plotting to kill them almost all the time. It was them also who couldn't quite believe in Jesus because of who He said he was but needed a sign.
Man, if nothing else this is reminding me to be aware of people who "play" being a Christian. Even those who appear to have it all together may not. I almost feel like 22-45 is pointing right at us (United States) today. So many people today are committing the one unpardonable sin and are we as Christians doing anything about that? Should we preach more, pray more....??? or are they to the point that they are left to themselves because they've rejected so much?
lastly, 43-45 talks about the unclean spirit that returns after being sent out. He comes back to the now well ordered house and isn't happy. He decides to bring back 7 buddies who like him are determined to destroy this beautiful home. When our repentance or "reformation" is not genuine the very things that we thought we got rid of may come back with such severity that we find it harder to get out of it the next time.
I hope this makes some sense.