Matthew 12:15-21 The Message (MSG)
In the Bible, loyalty is best revealed by the covenant God made with His people. God promises to be loyal to those who love Him; the concept of loyalty is entirely relational. As believers, our loyalty is seen in our commitment to Jesus Christ and his commands to love the Lord wholeheartedly and love others as much as we love ourselves (Mat 22:37-40). However, sometimes we don’t love ourselves in a right way; therefore, we struggle to love others. Since Jesus is the standard of love, he tells his disciples, “So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers” (John 13:34-35). We are to be as loyal in our relationships with others as the Lord is loyal to us. To accomplish loving this way, we must place our hope in Christ.
In our passage today, Jesus has been confronting the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. He tells the these leaders they care more about their religious system than about the things of God who is love. They care more about their personal practice of piety than being loyal in their love to God’s family. Therefore, rather than confronting them further, Jesus simply moves on. Love is a choice.
Matthew 12:15-21 In Charge of Everything
15-21 Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on. A lot of people followed him, and he healed them all. He also cautioned them to keep it quiet, following guidelines set down by Isaiah:
Look well at my handpicked servant;
I love him so much, take such delight in him.
I’ve placed my Spirit on him;
he’ll decree justice to the nations.
But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice;
there’ll be no commotion in the streets.
He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings,
won’t push you into a corner.
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
among far-off unbelievers.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my gentle Savior; for showing me the paths of Love. Help me follow you and choose wisely, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.