The Servant Whom God Chose
...and the anointing of his spirit thereupon.
Today’s passage is a bit long, so little commentary.
Isaiah is quoted heavily by Jesus throughout the gospels. There’s something about the righteousness (justice) therein, coming to fruition in Christ, that must be given attention.
Fruit (the result or production of a tree) is used as an image as much as anything else in scripture. Discernment is best determined by the quality of the fruit.
Matthew 12:15-37
Jesus knew what they intended to do, so he went away from there. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. But he ordered them not to spread the word about him, so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Look, my Servant whom I chose,
the one I love, in whom I find great pleasure.
I’ll put my Spirit upon him,
and he’ll announce judgment to the Gentiles.
He won’t argue or shout,
and nobody will hear his voice in the streets.
He won’t break a bent stalk,
and he won’t snuff out a smoldering wick,
until he makes justice win.
And the Gentiles will put their hope in his name.
They brought to Jesus a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could he?”
When the Pharisees heard, they said, “This man throws out demons only by the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”
Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he replied, “Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan throws out Satan, he is at war with himself. How then can his kingdom endure? And if I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I throw out demons by the power of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has already overtaken you. Can people go into a house that belongs to a strong man and steal his possessions, unless they first tie up the strong man? Then they can rob his house. Whoever isn’t with me is against me, and whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.
“Therefore, I tell you that people will be forgiven for every sin and insult to God. But insulting the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, not in this age or in the age that is coming.
“Either consider the tree good and its fruit good, or consider the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. A tree is known by its fruit. Children of snakes! How can you speak good things while you are evil? What fills the heart comes out of the mouth. Good people bring out good things from their good treasure. But evil people bring out evil things from their evil treasure. I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. By your words you will be either judged innocent or condemned as guilty.”
Prayer
God,
As I begin this day, I am reflecting on your healing and mercy. Just as you brought healing to those who followed you, I ask for your touch in my life today. Help me to speak words that uplift and reflect the goodness of a heart dedicated to you. Cleanse me of anything that doesn't align with your will, so I may bear good fruit in all I do.
Guide me in your truth, and let my actions and words bring glory to you throughout this day.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.