What Jesus Did : Matthew 12:17-18 - Fulfilling the Mission
by Phil Ware
Fulfilling the Mission - Matthew 12:17-18
Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said. Isaiah said, "Here is my servant; I (God) have chosen him. I love him, and I am pleased with him; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will judge the nations fairly." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Jesus is clearly living out of a sense of mission or calling. He is doing the Father's will. Powerfully at his baptism and at his transfiguration, Jesus is declared by God to be his Son, whom he loves. Once again we are reminded that Jesus is chosen by God to be his servant (son) whom he loves and who brings him pleasure. In addition, his ministry is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit and its purpose is to share God's love, mercy and justice—specifically what Jesus has been doing. In much the same way, we are called, chosen, and empowered by God through his Holy Spirit. He lives in us and our goal is to bring God pleasure and to do his will. We are God's children and Jesus' disciples. So the real question is whether or not we're trying to live by the power of his Spirit and having as our goal in life pleasing him and sharing his grace with others!
Today's Prayer
Abba Father, please help me to find your will for my life so that I may serve you with undiluted devotion and bring you pleasure. Please forgive me when I get caught up in things that are not healthy for me spiritually and not helpful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please bless me with the wisdom to know what is best to do to honor you today and each day of the rest of my life. In Jesus' name, and because of his grace, I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus knew what the Pharisees were doing. So Jesus left that place. Many people followed Jesus, and he healed all the sick people. But Jesus warned the people not to tell other people who he was. Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said. Isaiah said, "Here is my servant; I (God) have chosen him. I love him, and I am pleased with him; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will judge the nations fairly. He will not argue or shout; People will not hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the reed that is already bent; He will not stop the light that has almost stopped burning. He will continue until he makes fair judgment win the victory. All people will hope in him." Then some people brought a man to Jesus. This man was blind and could not talk, because he had a demon inside him. Jesus healed the man, and the man could talk and see. All the people were amazed. The people said, "Maybe this man (Jesus) is the Son of David {that God promised to send to us}!" The Pharisees heard the people saying this. The Pharisees said, "This man uses the power of Beelzebul (the devil) to force demons out of people. Beelzebul is the ruler of demons." Jesus knew the things that the Pharisees were thinking. So Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom that is fighting against itself will be destroyed. And every city that is divided cannot continue. And every family that is divided cannot succeed. So if Satan (the devil) forces out his own demons, then Satan is divided. And his kingdom will not be able to continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. If that is true, then what power do your people use when they force out demons? So your own people will prove that you are wrong. But I use the power of God's Spirit to force out demons. This shows that the kingdom of God has come to you. "If a person wants to enter a strong man's house and steal his things, first the person must tie the strong man. Then the person can steal the things fromthe strong man's house. "If a person is not with me, then he is against me. The person that does not work with me is working against me. So I tell you, people can be forgiven of every sin they do. And people can be forgiven for every bad thing they say. But if a person speaks against (refuses to accept) the Holy Spirit, then that person will not be forgiven. Any person that says things against the Son of Man can be forgiven. But any person that says things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. That person will not be forgiven now or in the future.-- Matthew 12:15-32 (ERV)
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