#44 Jesus Withdraws

#44 Jesus Withdraws

Please first read: Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12

After healing the man with the withered hand in the synagogue, Jesus is now faced with several problems. It is obvious that the scribes and Pharisees are plotting to destroy him. Great multitudes now follow him. Word of the healings and miracles he is doing has spread and throngs are coming from Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond Jordan, Tyre and Sidon. Many dealing with various illnesses and plagues press foreword trying to touch him. Unclean spirits see Jesus and fall down before him saying “thou art the Son of God.” Jesus charges them not to make him known. Jesus’ audiences are not only Jews, but various other nationalities and of course also Gentiles. One of the prophecies of Esaias is being fulfilled. (Matthew 12: 18-19) He is forced to enter a small ship to separate himself from the throngs and continue his teachings.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie;

“To what extent did Jesus preach and minister and heal among the Gentiles? Was the Holy One of Israel … destined to proclaim his message in other than Israelite ears? As a general principle, we know from many passages that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; that during his lifetime he limited his preaching, and that of his disciples, to the members of the one chosen race.”

“Many Old Testament prophecies, as Paul’s writings so amply attest, foretell the taking of the message of salvation to the Gentiles. One of these … Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench:  he shall bring forth judgement unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgement in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” (Isa. 42:1-4)

                                                                                 

“Matthew sees in what Jesus now does at least a partial fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. While the Herodians and Pharisees sit in council devising ways and means to destroy him, Jesus departs, apparently into the Decapolis area, to continue his preaching and healing ministry among a more receptive people. And those to whom he goes are in large measure Gentiles.” Mark tells us they are also people from Idumea, beyond Jordan, Tyre, and Sidon … all areas measurably inhabited by Gentiles.

Jesus came to “shew judgement to the Gentiles” as well as to gather in the lost sheep of Israel. Though his great commission was not to raise his voice in Gentile ears nor to strive personally to bring them into the Israelite fold, yet as Jew and Gentile mingled in the multitudes who sought goodness, many Gentiles would believe and his healing power would bless them. “Many of the bruised reeds who were weak in faith, and the smoking flax who were afflicted in body … whom Jesus taught and healed … were of Gentile blood. These would be the beginning of the great harvest to come future among these non-Israelitish people.”

Jamieson:

Figurative expressions, persons who are weak and afflicted in body and/or mind and were healed; those whose small faith and faint testimony were strengthened by the Lord’s teachings. Jesus shows compassion and love toward all those listening to him. “Whereas one rough touch will break a bruised reed, and quench the flickering, smoking flax, His it should be, with matchless tenderness, love and skill, to lift up the meek, to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, to comfort all that mourn, to say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not.”  (p.40) (Matthew 12:20-21)

Glenn R. McGettigan

December 2015

References:

“Commentary on the Whole Bible.” Jamieson

“Mortal Messiah.” Book 2. McConkie

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie