Matthew 12:9-21 - Conforming to Him

S - Matthew 12:9 - 21

O - Jesus healed on the Sabbath and was criticized by the Pharisees, yet he answered them in a common sense way. God is not a God of rules, but of relationship and common sense. He is a big picture God. He did not conform to their image of religion. Jesus was not religious.

This is when they began to plot how they might kill Jesus.

Jesus was aware of their plot. He withdrew from that place, and healed more.

Isaiah prophesied of this in the Old Testament. Isaiah 42:1-4 says, "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope."

A - The people expected one "sort" of king to be sent by God. Jesus was a humble, quiet, yet strong man. He did bring justice to the nations through his death, and many world-wide now follow him.

We often want Jesus to bring visible victories into our lives. But often his work is quiet, and it happens according to his perfect timing, not ours. The more we know Jesus, the more we will trust Him and His will in our lives, and not try to conform his image into what we desire (idolatry). He was not conformed into what the Pharisees wanted, and they fought this. When he does not conform to what we want, we fight. This is idolatry and rebelliousness. Again, I must remember that this life I live is his, not mine. I must trust, submit, and conform to him rather than try to get him to conform to my will.

P - Lord, Your will be done. Forgive me for wanting to conform you into my will and not trusting you to be Lord in all the details. Forgive my fears. I see this now. Help me to wholly conform to you, to love and follow you, and not desire the "American Dream" so much. But instead, desire more of You in my life and in my family. Help me to trust you more with everything. You are fully worthy. Amen.