Sermon Notes by Pasture Scott

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“Yokes” Part 3

Life in Submission, not in Suspicion – Matthew 12:15 – 32

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is presented as Messiah and King. (See the two teachings of this passage below.)

All through this wonderful book, Matthew recounts prophesy after prophesy that was fulfilled by Jesus that proved Him as Messiah and “The Son of David,” a Messianic title. In chapter 12, the writer quotes from Isaiah 42 the description of the Anointed One to come.

It’s amazing that there are 25,000 manuscripts of portions of the New Testament that have survived to this day. Only a mere fraction of this number attests to the existence of Julius Caesar, Plato, Aristotle and Homer. Just based on the evidence of history the man Jesus is the most influential human ever to live. There is more known, by far, of Jesus that of Shakespeare.

The two teachings of this passage are:

1. Jesus is “The Compassionate King.” (See verses 15 – 21.)
2. Jesus is “The Conquering King.”  (See verses 22 – 30.)

To verify what Matthew was alluding to when he quoted the prophet Isaiah, Jesus made three statements about Himself in this passage:

1. He is greater than the temple. (See verse 6.)
2. He is greater than Jonah. (See verse 41.)
3. He is greater than Solomon. (See verse 42.)

As “The Compassionate King” –

            He never lobbied to be king.

            In verses 15 – 16 He told those who He healed to keep silent about it.

            In verses 18 – 21 the writer quotes Isaiah 42 as a description of Jesus as this different kind of King.

                        “A battered (bruised) reed He will not break off….”

                        “A smoldering wick He will not put out (extinguish)….”

                                    There are some “battered reeds” at New River who can be redeemed by this “Compassionate King.” It’s not too late for them.

                                                Try to envision how easily a stalk of grass is to break when it’s already crushed at some point. Jesus came for the battered and bruised and crushed. He has a tender                                                            heart for all those who would trust in Him to put the salve of the Holy Spirit on their bruised and battered souls. Remember what He said, “Take my yoke upon you                                                           and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:29).

                                    Jesus came to bind up our wounds; He came for bruised reeds.

As “The Conquering King” –

            When Jesus was tested by the Pharisees, He responded with a display of power that was unmistakable God’s power.

            Amanda Gilkeson, fresh from the mission field in Tanzania, West Africa, testified to witnessing demons being cast out of a child by the power of Jesus.

            The question for us is: “Who is this Jesus?” Could He really be Messiah King? (See verse 23.)

            That same power source is within each kingdom person in the form of the trinity.

            Jesus is for bruised reeds and for smoldering wicks.

            BUT - - - -

            One day every knee will bow and every person will confess that He is Kind indeed. (See Philippians 2:10 – 11.)