Preaching Teaching and Healing

Topic: Healing
Passage: Matthew 12:14–29

January 22, 2023

Commentary

The Pharisees left their interaction with Jesus planning to kill Him (v. 14). Being aware of their plans, Jesus withdrew from that place (v. 15). As he left the synagogue, many followed Him and “He healed them all” (v. 15). After He healed them, Jesus asked that they not tell anyone who He was (v. 16). It’s not clear why Jesus gave these instructions, but what is clear is that Matthew saw all of this as fulfillment of prophecy. Here Matthew quoted Isaiah 42:1-4. We can draw the following applications from this quotation regarding who Jesus is:

  1. He is chosen by the Father (v. 18a). “My servant who I have chosen”
  2. He is commissioned by the Holy Spirit (v. 18b). “I will put my Spirit upon Him”
  3. He is the redeemer of the world, not just Israel (v. 18c). “Will proclaim justice to the nations”
  4. He will not quarrel or cause trouble (v. 19). “No one will hear His voice in the streets”
  5. He will make sure justice is done (v. 20). “Won’t break off a bent reed or put out a flame.”
  6. He will see that all nations place their hope in Him (v. 21). “Will be the hope of the world”

As Jesus was healing, a blind, mute man was brought to him. The cause of his affliction was spiritual, not merely physical. He was possed by a demon (v. 22). Jesus healed him, and the people were astonished (vv. 22-23), but the Pharisees accused Him of healing by the power of Beelzebul (another name for Satan) (v. 24). Jesus gave three arguments to answer them:

  1. If Jesus cast out a demon by Satan’s power, then Satan would be working against himself (vv. 25-26).
  2. If Jesus’s method of casting out demons was called into question, then so would the method of the Jewish exorcists who claimed they could do the same (v. 27).
  3. The man who was healed was proof enough that Jesus had bound the demon (vv. 28-29).

Application

Where do I go when life gets hard? Do I try to handle it on my own or do I get alone with the Lord.

Matthew 12:14– 29 (NET)

14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, as to how they could assassinate him.

15 Now when Jesus learned of this, he went away from there. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all. 16 But he sternly warned them not to make him known. 17 This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

20 He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory.

21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

22 Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Jesus healed him so that he could speak and see. 23 All the crowds were amazed and said, “Could this one be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this they said, “He does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons!” 25 Now when Jesus realized what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and no town or house divided against itself will stand. 26 So if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you. 29 How else can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can thoroughly plunder the house.