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The Challenge of Bringing People Into the Kingdom

Text: Matthew 12 : 15 - 21

Jesus never allowed Himself to forget His commission to preach the Kingdom of God! His heart yearned for many to enter into His kingdom. However, at no time did Jesus coerce anyone to believe in Him. Though He healed many, He did not make use of His miracles to draw people into the Kingdom of God! His preferred way was to live out His life in such a way that His very lifestyle attracted people to consider faith in God!

FOCUS ON CHARACTER

Let us ponder the character of Jesus as the prophet Isaiah envisioned it. We have a truly beautiful picture of Jesus in these words.

“He will not quarrel nor cry out…”

This text tells us much about how Jesus conducted Himself as the Pharisees rounded on Him. He refused to quarrel with them. This understanding gives us a deeper sense of appreciation of what Matthew wrote.

“But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there.”
MATTHEW 12:15

Jesus refused to be drawn into a situation where He could end up quarreling with the Pharisees. Though they must have tried very hard to provoke Him, He refused to quarrel with them. He would not “cry out” against them.

However, having said that, we must not think that Jesus was afraid of the Pharisees, or that He was a retiring person! He wasn’t! If pressed, He would reply questions hurled at Him. However, He would not become cantankerous and quarrelsome like the Pharisees.

“Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets”

This text well described the nature of Jesus. He was essentially gracious and gentle. He exhibited refinement in the best sense of the word! He refused to be loud and clamorous, even under intense provocation.

“A bruised reed He will not break”

How the sick must have loved Jesus! The sick may indeed be compared to “bruised reeds”. The sick are dependent on others. They cannot do their part for the family or contribute much to society in general.

Sadly, many are abrupt with the sick. Many do not know how to be good caregivers, especially on a long term basis. How gracious and gentle Jesus was to all who came to Him! Only a Person of the highest stature and caliber could be described in this manner. To Jesus, this was the only way to live! Surely His life reflected God’s image! Yet, so many were blind and could not appreciate Jesus much.

“And smoking flax He will not quench”

There was no electricity in those days. Light was obtained by using oil lamps. In a typical oil lamp there would be a wick. Flax was a plant whose fiber could be used to function as wicks. Oil lamps were inexpensive. Oil however could be expensive at times. The very poor make sure that they carefully trim the flax wicks so that they would last longer. The rich tend to discard wicks that are already “smoking”. Wicks were not costly. Replacing them was an easy thing to do.

What a beautiful picture we have here of Jesus. He would not quench a smoking flax. Gently He would trim the flax wick and then use it till it can no longer function. Jesus did not despise the poor, the sick, the possessed, the women-folk or children!

THE GREAT CONTRAST

What a contrast we have in the Pharisees. As we are introduced to them, we cannot but note the following characteristics.

1. With reference to the teaching ministry

Matthew noted an obvious contrast. He recorded the fact that the multitudes saw the difference between the way Jesus preached and the way the scribes taught.

“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings,
that the people were astonished at His teaching,
for He taught them as One having authority, and
not as the scribes.”
MATTHEW 7:28-29

2. Critical and fault-finding

As Jesus ministered to the multitudes, He came across people who were often shunned by main-stream society. Among them were the tax collectors. When Jesus befriended them, He was criticized.

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples,
‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'”
MATTHEW 9:11

3. Mean and Wicked

When Jesus continued to display great powers, the Pharisees resorted to underhanded measures. They began to cast aspersions on His character. They made snide remarks about Jesus’ involvement with demons!

“But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the
ruler of the demons.”
MATTHEW 9:34

BUT WE SEE JESUS

How do we see Jesus today? Have we been able to appreciate Jesus as He deserves to be understood? He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He continues to be gracious and gentle. Sometimes His graciousness is taken for granted. At other times His constant love is ignored. Let’s take time to appreciate Jesus a whole lot more!