Thursday, February 3, 2022

The Amazement (Matt. 12:23)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/3/2022 12:20 PM

 

My Worship Time                                                                                  Focus:  “The Amazement”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                    Reference:  Matthew 12:23

 

            Message of the verse:    23 And all the multitudes were amazed, and began to say, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?’”

 

            We begin with the words “to be amazed” which is the Greek word (Existemi) and this means to be totally astounded, beside oneself with amazement and wonder.  Now without doubt man of the people present who saw this miracle had seen other miracles that Jesus had done but nonetheless they were astounded by this one.  MacArthur writes “One writer suggests that ‘it means to be literally knocked out of your senses,’ and another that ‘it means to be out of your mind with amazement.’  In ways that we may not fully see from the narrative, this particular miracle was unusually overwhelming , as if Jesus meant to intensify its demonstration of supernaturalness.”  I have to think that this was certainly the plan that the Lord had as far as the way the people looked at this miracle, and the plan was fulfilled by the Lord in order to have what happened after this miracle was done, that is the reaction of the Pharisees.  As we move through Matthew we will see that Jesus’ ministry will change as He will begin shortly to speak in parables and then give the meanings of those parables to His disciples, but not to those who were listening.  If He is seen as a person who is doing the work of Satan it will be too late for those who believe this and thus He will speak in parables.

 

            MacArthur concludes “Although it comes down on the negative side of probability in their minds, the very question the people ‘began’ to ask themselves—This man cannot be the Son of David, can He?—reveals that they recognized such miracles as possible messianic signs.  Son of David was one of many scriptural titles for the Messiah (see 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 89:3; Isa. 9:6-7), and for the people to consider whether Jesus could be the Son of David was a query related to His being the Messiah.  That was the title later ascribed to Jesus by the crowds who welcomed Him into Jerusalem as their Messiah and King (Matt. 21:9; cf. v. 5).”

 

            It looks like in the next few days that our Spiritual Diaries will be a bit shorter as we work our way through this section from the 12th chapter of Matthew’s gospel.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I find amazement in what the Lord has done in my life over these past 48 years since I have become a believer.  It was an amazing life changer for me and for my family too.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I trust the Lord to give me wisdom in order to teach our Sunday school class this Sunday from Hebrews 7:11-19.

 

2/3/2022 12:46 PM

 

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