What Jesus Did! 'Witness to the Hostiles' — Matthew 12:1-2

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

About that same time, Jesus was walking through the fields of grain on a Sabbath day. Jesus' followers were with him, and they were hungry. So the followers began to pick the grain and eat it. The Pharisees saw this. They said to Jesus, "Look! Your followers are doing something that is against the {Jewish} law to do on the Sabbath day."
— Matthew 12:1-2 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 12:1-2 NLT — "Look! Your followers are doing something that is against the {Jewish} law to do on the Sabbath day."

Key Thought

Legal loop holes are one thing, but a political and legal pot hole is another. The Pharisees were looking to harm Jesus and hurt his growing ministry. They were looking for a political issue to damage Jesus' popularity and they were looking for a religious noose so they can hang him on some theological issue. Jesus lived all of his life under public scrutiny. In many ways, most of us do, too. So let's live our lives in a way that honors Christ's example of character that was unwavering even in the face of unjust criticism.

Today's Prayer

O Lord Almighty, as I live my life before others in witness to your mercy and grace, forgive me when my example is not what it should be and mature me to be more like Jesus in my personal and public life. In the Lord Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 3:15-17
  • 2 Tim 3:10-12
  • Matt. 5:11-12

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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