Seeds for 08/24/2023 - Matthew 12:22-24
Scripture: Then they brought Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
Observation: Jesus has been healing many people, plus defending doing this work of ministry on the Sabbath. He’s been deftly countering the Pharisees on the one hand and side-stepping them when prudent on the other. Now, the crowds bring a demon-possessed man to Him.
Our observation today is of a very simple contrast.
Jesus heals the man of demon-possession and restores what the demon had taken away—speech and sight. Hallelujah!
Next, the responses of “all the people” and “the Pharisees” to this event are set against one another. The people “were astonished” and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But the Pharisees respond with a declaration and accusation: “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
The people see what happens first hand, experience awe, and get curious about the meaning and significance of what has happened. They are ready to consider what this experience reveals to them about who Jesus really is.
The Pharisees, by contrast, hear about it (second hand), declare Jesus’ cooperation with the devil, and, ironically, accuse Him of using demonic power to cast out demons. Jesus will, in fact, rebut this ridiculous claim in due time. The Pharisees’ accusation reeks of suspiciousness on their part toward anything that Jesus may do. Absent a logically plausible explanation that they like, they lurch at an illogical explanation that would discredit Jesus if believed.
But with their simple question, the people provide us with a very different paradigm.
By asking “Could this be the Son of David?” they demonstrate curiosity and openness to what God may be doing, without jumping to premature conclusions.
“Could this be…” Curiosity is the wise posture when we are trying to understand what we’ve seen or experienced. Curiosity leaves open possibilities without committing ourselves to a particular interpretation of events at the outset. Curiosity allows us to entertain the prospect of the life-changing truth while taking time to assess and reflect. It gives us time to consider the evidence and bring our best thinking to the situation.
The Pharisees, with their knee-jerk denial and dismissiveness, are a picture of fear and anxiety. But there is a better way. There’s a saying that goes, “When the going gets tough, turn to wonder.” Curses are one way to respond, but curiosity is far better.
Application:
When have you been dismissive when curiosity would have served you better?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, keep me curious to discover more of you. Reward my posture of wonder by leading me deeper into your heart. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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