Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 29
M atthew 1 2 / Page 1215
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
9
Then Jesus went over to their synagogue,
10
where he noticed a man with a deformed
hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the
law permit a person to work by healing on
the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would
say yes, so they could bring charges against
him.)
11
And he answered, “If you had a sheep
that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t
you work to pull it out? Of course you would.
12
And how much more valuable is a person
than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person
to do good on the Sabbath.”
13
Then he said to the man, “Hold out your
hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it
was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then
the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how
to kill J esus.
Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant
15
But Jesus knew what they were planning. So
he left that area, and many people followed
him. He healed all the sick among them,
16
but he warned them not to reveal who he
was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah
concerning him:
18
19
20
21
“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.”*
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
22
Then a demon-possessed man, who was
blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to
Jesus. He healed the man so that he could
both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed
and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son
of David, the Messiah?”
24
But when the Pharis ees heard about the
miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast
out demons. He gets his power from Satan,*
the prince of demons.”
25
Jesus knew their thoughts and replied,
“Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed.
A town or family splintered by feuding will
fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan,
he is divided and fighting against himself.
His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if
I am empowered by Satan, what about your
own exorcists? They cast out demons, too,
so they will condemn you for what you have
said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the
Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has
arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful
enough to enter the house of a strong man
and plunder his goods? Only someone even
stronger—someone who could tie him up
and then plunder his house.
30
“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me,
and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31
“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy
can be forgiven—except blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.
32
Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man
can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks
against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,
either in this world or in the world to come.
33
“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree
is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad,
its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes!
How could evil men like you speak what is
good and right? For whatever is in your heart
determines what you say. 35 A good person
produces good things from the treasury of
a good heart, and an evil person produces
evil things from the treasury of an evil
heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an
12:18-21 Isa 42:1-4 (Greek version for 42:4). 12:24 Greek Beelzeboul; also in 12:27. Other manuscripts read Beezeboul;
Latin version reads Beelzebub.
12:17-21 Centuries earlier the prophet Isaiah had described the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-4); Matthew
recognized how Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. This passage offers a powerful message of hope for
those of us in recovery. Jesus the Messiah is both our servant and our leader. He is strong enough
to lead and judge the nations, yet tender enough to care for the weak and helpless. He is the
world’s hope for salvation and our hope for recovery.
12:22-32 Only God through Jesus Christ can offer us the power we need for recovery. If we look to
any other source for help, our recovery will be limited at best. Secular, New Age, and even occult
approaches to recovery are available. It is tragic that Christ-centered recovery is often doubted by
many who need it the most, but it is even more tragic when people who find deliverance through
Christ are later told that it is all a lie. God’s way of recovery is the way of Jesus Christ; through him
we receive the power we need for recovery and restoration.
