Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered close around him, so that he got into a boat to sit down, and all the crowd was standing on the shore. And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow.’” (Matthew 13:1-3)

Chapter twelve is a testament to fruit. Jesus was challenged to heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees felt was a violation of the Sabbath. It would be doing a work, and works were forbidden. Jesus pointed once again to the heart behind the work. Is it lawful to do good? Of course. If it relied on God and brought Him glory, why wouldn’t it be permitted? Jesus could not be sinning at the same time He was standing against rebellion against God. If you examine someone’s life, you can see the fruit. You can see what they are rooted in. Jesus cared for those in His care like they were His mother or siblings. Jesus was ALL about love, and love healed in order to free people from the bondage of sickness – regardless of the form it took.

Chapter thirteen is a chapter of parables. One reason He spoke in parables so that people had to think about them. To meditate on them and wrestle out their meanings and truth. He told the parable of the sower – mentioned elsewhere as the preeminent parable – if you didn’t understand it, you wouldn’t understand any. It is a parable about sowing the Word into our hearts and the types of soil it finds there. It is a call to make sure we have ready soil, reading with intent to both see Jesus in it AND to submit to what we find in humble obedience. When we do, we will get a spectacular harvest. Jesus continued with parables showcasing both the value of God’s wisdom AND God’s valuing of us, His creation. Jesus spoke of how little REAL trust is needed to see results. It doesn’t take great effort or great amount. It needs real trusting and real belief. Jesus also travelled back home and there the people rejected Him. They refused to see Him for who He was and they resisted Him. Due to that, He was prevented from doing mighty works there. Because of their unbelief, they got to experience none of the miracles Jesus WANTED to perform.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples, Man with a Withered Hand, Jews

Key Verse(s): Matthew 12:38-42; 13:18-23