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Matthew 12:15–21

Jesus brings hope to everyone in the world

The OT promised that the Messiah would come. Jesus is the Messiah. He gently offered salvation to the whole world.

Jesus offered rest. (Read Matthew 11:28–30.) Jesus showed that he is the real rest. (Read Matthew 12:1–14.) The Jewish religious leaders refused to accept that rest. So, he had to leave them. (Read Matthew 12:15.)

But, some people did follow him. Many of them were not Jews. This seemed to be very important to Matthew, who was the author. The Jews refused to accept Jesus. Now, all people could become real people of God. They must just do two things. First, they must make a decision about Jesus’ invitation. Then, they must follow him.

Matthew now repeated some words from the OT. (Read Matthew 12:18–21.) The passage is Isaiah 42:1–4. This is the longest passage that Matthew repeated. So he must have thought that it was very important. The Jews thought that this OT passage referred to the Messiah. Matthew showed how it came true in Jesus.

Matthew 12:18 reminds us about what God said at Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 12:19-20 described the way that Jesus behaved. He was gentle. (Read Matthew 12:13-15.) He did not want attention for himself either (Matthew 12:16). Then Matthew 12:21 reminds us of something great. The Messiah would be the joy of all people. He would not be just for the Jews.

Questions

  • Read Matthew 12:16 and Matthew 12:19–20 again. Think about the way that Jesus worked. How much should Christians use large meetings? We want people to know the Good News about Jesus. But should we have large meetings?
  • The Jews thought that God’s kingdom was only for them. But Jesus was ready to help people from all groups. What should this mean for our churches? Are we trying to reach all types of people with the Good News?
  • ‘All people will hope in him.’ But how can they do this, if nobody goes to tell them? Make a list of ways to share the Good News. (Here are some ideas. We can share it by: prayer; sending people; giving money; the radio; television; computer.) What can your group do?