Matthew 12 is meaty; so much to chew on like the verses about mercy over sacrifice, or a tree being known by it’s fruit (something we’ve already considered in Matthew), or having to give an account for every idle word (EVERY?!), or the story of the unclean spirit leaving a man and coming back with seven more (EEKKK!). So which one stood out to you in your Bible journaling today?
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 12
This chapter begins with Jesus and his disciples walking through a field on the Sabbath. His disciples are hungry so they began to “pluck ears of grain and to eat.” The Pharisees didn’t like it and set about to call Jesus out and correct His disciples. Here’s what Cornelius a Lapide says in his commentary…
Tropologically: Bede says, “Those walk with the Lord, through the corn fields, who delight to meditate on the sacred oracles. They hunger, when they desire to find therein the bread of life; and that on the Sabbath, when they are glad to rest with a mind free from disturbing thoughts. They rub the ears, and purify them from the husks that they may reach the grain, when they take up the testimonies of Scripture, and dwell upon them until they find in them, as it were the marrow of love. But this refreshment of the mind is displeasing to fools, and is approved by the Lord.”
Don’t you love that! St. Bede explains tropologically (the use of figurative language in speech or writing) this is about us, as we read and meditate on the Scriptures until we find “the marrow of love.” He also states this POWERful practice is displeasing to fools. The world is filled with a bunch of fools right now.
And just as I typed that, I was quickly reminded of another verse in this chapter, verse 36, “I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter.” I just called a bunch of people in the world fools…and they call me a fool…and we each will have to answer for that.
P —I look back over my day Lord and I think, what fruit did I bear for Your Kingdom. This question of being a fruit bearer keeps coming up so I want to pay close attention to it.
O –The disciples of Jesus dealt with the same problems the disciples of Jesus deal with today: judgment and people wanting to see some sort of sign from this God we believe in.
W —vs 37…for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
E –The mouth…years ago when I sat down with my Bible, I started in the book of Proverbs underlining all the verses I came to about my words…and my mind. They work in unison, harmony…whatever you want to call it…they work together. So if I want my words to be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, I need to think on those things. (Philippians 4:8) And to think on those things, I need to consume those things. I need to be careful what I watch, listen to and read; they will influence my words. (One of my favorite books of all time is titled, The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy Filled Life. I purchased it back in 2011 and read it at least twice every year.)
R –I am so thankful for Your Word Lord. I am thankful for Your holy men and women who have been enlightened by Your Spirit to shed light on the Scriptures. I want to be a joy thinker and a joy talker. I don’t want to hear a long laundry list of idle and useless words I said being read at my judgement. I want You to praise my words with a “well done.”
Share your POWERful reflections in the comments.
Deb00 says
As I prepare to leave for a few “girl’s days” on the lake giv end peCe Lord that all will be well at home… That the boys won’t cuase or get into trouble. Help me to stay focused ony daily bible journaling as well
I- Jesus is warning us not to get so caught up in the the law that we forget to see the person, to have compassion. I see several samplers of that in our world today. To name a few: immigration- we tend to lump everyone together and say we don’t want foreigners in our country but fail to look with compassion on those who have or are fleeing from unjust persecution or danger. Or judging the poor in our soup kitchens because somehow they find the money to smoke or drink rather than seeing with compassion the man who used to be a productive part of our society but due to mental illness, PTS, or numerous trials, lost his way. Jesus also warns us about the tongue which can lead us to condemnation
W- mt12:36 I tell you on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak
E- I really need to work on seeing others with compassion for I don’t know their story. And I need to remember to bite my tongue more often than not!!!
R- dear Lord help me to learn to bridle my tongue and to see You in all those I meet!!!
Jenny says
Whoa! Lots to think about there as I shake my guilty head.
Michelle says
I have been reflecting on my many words. I am comforted to know that Christ will stand with me at Judgement as my lawyer. By his life, I will be acquitted.
Which is harder for me? Great sacrifices of penance or mustering the courage to use my words in a life giving way to tell someone how they have angered/hurt me thus giving them an opportunity to apologize. It will help me to be merciful toward them. If they choose not to, well then when I’m ready, I simply must forgive them like Jesus forgives me. Although it may be exceedingly difficult, I can do all things….
Marguerite says
For me it was 12:7 mercy not sacrifice. It is very easy to fall into being religious and forget how important mercy is. Went back to Hosea 6:6 where the quote is from there is a little more in that
verse For I desire mercy did not sacrifice.And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
We need to know who God is and then treat others with mercy as He treats us
Jenny says
Yes! The whole point of daily Bible journaling is to learn Who God is!
Lux says
Powerful indeed. I think it says so much that when we try to come clean or wash ourselves clean, the enemy works double time. Bringing more of his powers and peers to try and stop us. But in the end, Jesus wins. 🙂
Jenny says
And how often do have we need to repeat to ourselves, “Jesus wins! Jesus wins! Jesus wins!”