The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah, Part 8: Matthew 11-12, by Kevin M. Williams
It is this “servant” who will bring justice not merely to the Jewish nation, but to the Gentiles as well. Even in our modern mindset we can see where the Hebrews of Yeshua’s day could interpret this to mean that the Messiah would throw off the yoke of political oppression. Yet what did He actually do?
Yeshua threw off the yoke of religious oppression.
It is very easy to feel that we—modern believers—have progressed beyond such self-religious pride and heresy, but have we really? Too often, it seems, there are too many believers limping through their life due to wounds suffered by the hands of religious leaders and congregational peers. Let us not think that if we have engaged in such persecution of our fellow brothers and sisters that we will not suffer a judgment!
Matthew 12:20-21, apart from demonstrating the grace and compassion of Yeshua, and identifying Him as the Savior, this disciple makes certain that we see in Yeshua a man who is not just a man of words, but a man of compassionate action. He will not let a battered reed be broken off, or a smoldering wick be put out. These people of faith are precious to our Lord and Master. He was deeply concerned that their welfare be seen to not by a committee, not by a denomination, not by a government program, but personally, as an example to us all.
Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and He healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed, and began to say, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?”
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
And knowing their thoughts He said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Consequently they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:22-28).
Different situation, same result. The people at large are questioning out loud, “Is this the Son of David?” In other words, is this the Messiah? The evidence before their eyes is leading them to the proper conclusion. The self-righteous Pharisees, unwilling still to acknowledge what they are witnessing, find accusations. Clearly, their last allegations against Yeshua and His ability to turn their condemnation back upon themselves has yet to make them “gun shy.”
Category: Biblical Studies, Pneuma Review, Winter 2003
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