Bible Reading: Genesis 36-37; Matthew 12:1-21
Memory verse: “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgement to the Gentiles” Matthew 12:18 (KJV)
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were mainly not only unhappy with Jesus because of the authority in which He teaches and performs miracles but largely because they see Him as stealing the show and relegating them. Anywhere Jesus goes, the bible tells us that multitudes follow Him. Other times when the news of His coming gets to a town, crowds of people will be waiting for Him. Despite all the manifestation taking place at these meetings, the religious leaders of the day were still unhappy with Him.
The Pharisees were learned people and highly esteemed among the people. Yet, in all their learning of the books of Moses, they could not recognize the same Jesus the books they read and claimed to believe was pointing to as the Messiah. This is because they read the books going by the letters only with no Spirit of God directing them. Anything God will always have His Spirit dictating the pace. Even Jesus could not begin His ministry without the Spirit of God. Todays memory verse confirms this, “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgement to the Gentiles” Matthew 12:18 (KJV)
Moreso, the Pharisees loved being praised and esteemed by the same people they despised. How can you change people for good when you don’t value them? Jesus came to this world to show us how God sees this dying world. Jesus values people and was able to add value to them. You cannot add value to people you do not value. No wonder His audiences tell a lot about His love for people; He sits with tax collectors, beggers, the sick, etc and out of compassion was able to change their situation and got their attention. The Pharisees never praised God for any of the miracles Jesus performed, rather they found fault with every one of them.
Without the Spirit of God you cannot do the work of God effectively, else you become like the Pharisees whose main aim is to keep their tradition above the people they were meant to lead. Moreso, the Spirit of God will keep you going inspite of oppositions. Never you think that because you are doing something good then you will not be opposed. Remember, this system of things is being controlled by Satan and his agents. They will always fight anything God does with and through you as they did to Jesus.
Prayer: Father, pour out Your Spirit afresh on me that I may do Your will no matter the situation around me in Jesus name.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu