Saturday 16 Jul 2022

July 16: Matthew 12:14-21

Key Verse: Matthew 12:15
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Devotion:
No matter what the people were up to Jesus knew He had to continue to make sure God’s promises stood firm and came to pass! The Pharisees continued to try and entrap Jesus, plotting against Him wherever they could but Jesus remained one step ahead all the time. Even when the end seemed like it had come Jesus remained firm and stood up to make sure God’s Word was kept!

When Jesus knew bad things were going to happen, He side stepped them until He knew the time was right. During this time when these words were coming true, Jesus side-stepped the Pharisees plans and continued to heal and care for the ill. He continued to show mercy even in the sight of danger… but He did ask the people not to spread the good news of them being healed so there would be a delay between what happened and when the Pharisees found out!

These words were foretold by the prophet Isaiah many years before when he told Israel they would see a servant king come to bring justice to the poor and needy and He would not use wars and injustice to bring about the justice – that would be man’s way!

As human beings we do get things terribly wrong at times – we bring injustice to the table so we can see when justice is done, we use evil to prove good exists. Jesus was very different and used love and hope to show how good exists. Jesus continued to bring hope and show mercy all the time He was amongst us on earth. He then showed absolute humility and gave His own life for us so we could know the goodness and righteousness of God.

Points to Ponder:
What do you do to show people goodness and mercy?

Will you share Christ’s love through goodness and mercy?