…continued from last week.

Matthew 13 is a major shift in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Before this, Jesus had not spoken in parables in Matthew’s Gospel, but with the rejection of His kingdom offer by the Pharisees, a new direction was being set forth. While Jesus had previously used illustrations in communicating truth (7:24–27; 9:16–17; 11:16–19; 12:29), these should not be considered parables. This new direction that is set forth is not just a view to the cross and resurrection, but also a view to the salvation of the Gentiles. This should not surprise us because of the national rejection He has received from the Jews (Matt 12:24; John 1:11) and the fulfillment of prophecy that had taken place in Matthew 12:17-21 where Matthew quotes from Isaiah 42:1-4a referring to “justice” being proclaimed to the Gentiles and that “in His name the Gentiles will hope” (Matt 12:21)…

Matthew 13 is a major shift in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Before this, Jesus had not spoken in parables in Matthew’s Gospel, but with the rejection of His kingdom offer by the Pharisees, a new direction was being set forth. While Jesus had previously used illustrations in communicating truth (7:24–27; 9:16–17; 11:16–19; 12:29), these should not be considered parables. This new direction that is set forth is not just a view to the cross and resurrection, but also a view to the salvation of the Gentiles. This should not surprise us because of the national rejection He has received from the Jews (Matt 12:24; John 1:11) and the fulfillment of prophecy that had taken place in Matthew 12:17-21 where Matthew quotes from Isaiah 42:1-4a referring to “justice” being proclaimed to the Gentiles and that “in His name the Gentiles will hope” (Matt 12:21)… 

It would be best to go back and read all of Matthew 12 again to get the thrust of what is taking place in world history. This is a weighty matter! A people who had 1400 years of promises, prophets, and signs was at the cusp of having all of their greatest expectations become a reality and their leaders, being the most knowledgeable men among them, discredited every effort or promise that YHWH had ever made to them because their hardened hearts would not allow for their pride to be deflated in the eyes of Israel. They simply could not humble themselves before the promised Messiah… 

In Matthew 12, Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees is heated. Being perfectly God, Jesus was perfectly indignant about the spiritual state of Israel. Unbelief, and anti-belief in the case of the Pharisees, had served in leading the nation of Israel into religiosity and legalism, with the people striving to gain acceptance with their God, offering the same routine sacrifices, and promoting their own self-righteousness as a reason why God should look favorably upon them (Luke 18:11-12). Jesus’ anger is justified. The heart of Israel’s leaders had been publicly revealed with pride, corruption, and denial being its manifestation. Now that this critical moment had come into play, the offer of the kingdom would fall to the wayside with Jesus’ focus turning to the events surrounding the cross of Calvary…