Week 10.7 Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute pt 2
Bible Reading: Matthew 9:32-34
Click here for Matthew 9 on Bible Gateway
Observation
What was the response of the Pharisees to Jesus casting out the demons?
Explanation
In chapter 9, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of four different sins: blasphemy, befriending outcasts, impiety, and serving Satan. Matthew shows how Jesus was maligned by those who should have received him most gladly. Why did the Pharisees do this? (1) Jesus bypassed their religious authority. (2) He weakened their control over the people. (3) He challenged their cherished beliefs. (4) He exposed their insincere motives.
While the Pharisees questioned, debated, and dissected Jesus, people were being healed and lives changed right in front of them. Their scepticism was based not on insufficient evidence but on jealousy of Jesus’ popularity.
- NLT Life Application Study Bible
Application
What character flaws can we observe and avoid of the Pharisees?
Prayer
Lord, please provide me insight so that I do not become like the jealous Pharisees. Thank you for your compassion on your people.
Verse of the Week:
Matthew 9:12-13
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
“It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
In my opinion at the root of all sin is pride, and it seems that the Pharisees had this in spades! Rather than being happy for those whom Jesus healed, they were more concerned with Jesus’ reputation exceeding their own. Their response in this passage sounds like a desperate attempt to cut Jesus down, because it makes so little sense! (In the other gospels Jesus points out that a kingdom divided against itself will fall).