Matthew 12:15-21
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our previous passage, the Pharisee’s anger toward Jesus led them to begin plotting his murder. Today we look at Jesus’ response to this threat. Read Matthew 12:15-21 noticing anything that stands out to you as you read.
In the face of aggressive opposition, Jesus doesn’t stand and fight for truth and justice. He simply picks up and moves on continuing his ministry of healing and restoration with those who go with him. He is not seeking power or fame; he is seeking God’s way of setting things right in the world. And God’s way is often surprising.
Even in the midst of opposition Jesus is calm because he is fully connected with God the Father. He is led by God’s own Spirit, and he fully trusts God to complete the work of restoration that he has begun.
Stop to think about the current tone of discourse in our culture. How often do you feel triggered by opposing thoughts and opinions? How might trust in God be related to the volatility of interactions between people?
Share your thoughts about this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 12:15-21 again zeroing in on the last two lines of Isaiah’s prophecy.
The time will come when Jesus will face down evil and all the destruction and devastation brought on by human rebellion; but only in God’s perfect timing. And even when the day of reckoning comes, the ways of Jesus will seem strange. Jesus will not fight violence with violence, and Jesus will not use the weapons of people to win out over evil.
There is hope in the name of Jesus partly because his ways usher in a completely new way of interacting with God and interacting with other people. His life, death and resurrection made a way for us to come boldly into the presence of a holy God and place our full trust in the only One with the power to set things right. Because of Jesus, and through the power of his Spirit, we can remain calm in the face of opposition, and even love those who are against us, knowing that the love and justice of Jesus will ultimately prevail.
For the last few minutes of this meditation, reread the prophecy of Isaiah as if God were speaking the words directly to you and then get quiet and listen:
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”
What do you sense God saying to you through these words?
What will you do in response?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
