PODCAST
Look In The Mirror First
April 28th, 2011
Matthew 12:1-14
The Pharisees feared their power over the people was being jeopardized. They stalked Jesus, looking for any small infraction they could use to accuse him of wrongdoing. In Matthew 7:3, Jesus asked, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Rather than nitpick details, Jesus wanted the Pharisees to see the worth of the man and have compassion on him because of his infirmity. Micah 6:8 supports Jesus’ position, “But He’s already made it plain . . . what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously–take God seriously” (TM). In other words, “‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matt. 12:7b). Jesus prefers a “flexible heart to an inflexible ritual” (Matt. 12:7b, TM). He told the
Jesus wants the same for us today. He wants true heart devotion to him and compassion for those around us.
