Sovereign Servant | Matthew 12:15-21

Scripture

• Matthew 12:15–21

About this sermon

ntroduction: In almost every way, Jesus of Nazareth defied the common way that the people of Israel thought about the Messiah. Many were expecting someone who would deliver them from the rule of the Romans. Many were expecting someone who would affirm their religious leaders and vindicate their traditions. Many were expecting someone who would affirm and lead those who were already seen as wise, holy, influential, powerful. Instead, they met with someone who defied their expectations. We will see this in the next chapter: Matthew 13:53–57 (ESV) 53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” But we see it other places also: John 7:15 (ESV) 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” They met with someone who wasn’t the product of their religious educational processes. They met with a carpenter’s son. They met with someone who chose His disciples from commoners and worse — outcasts. They met with someone who sat down at dinner with sinners. They met with someone who seemed more interested in correcting their religious leaders than Roman authorities. ALL OF THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN EXPLAINED AND DISMISSED BY SAYING THAT THE CLAIMS WERE FALSE REGARDING JESUS AS MESSIAH — EXCEPT FOR ONE MAJOR PROBLEM. No one ever spoke like this man, and no one could do the deeds that He did unless God was with Him. Any honest assessment of Jesus of Nazareth could not dismiss His words and His deeds. HE WAS AMAZING THE TEACHERS IN THE TEMPLE WITH HIS WISDOM WHEN HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD. Luke 2:41–51 (ESV) 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. HE HAD AMAZING WITNESSES — PROPHECIES UTTERED IN SETTINGS THAT WERE UNEXPECTED, INCLUDING JOHN THE BAPTIST (the people knew him to be a prophet) WHO BORE WITNESS TO JESUS. JESUS CONTINUED TO POINT OUT HOW HIS WORDS AND DEEDS WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE MESSIAH. In Word and in deed, Jesus could not be ignored. John 7:45–49 (ESV) 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” John 3:1–2 (ESV) 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” And what we find, in our text today, is another biblical witness that explains what so many found unexpected. The Bible describes the Messiah, not just as Son of God, Sovereign King, but also as Suffering Servant. • A SOVEREIGN WITHDRAWAL (vs.15) The withdrawal of Jesus coincides with His awareness of the plans of the Pharisees to destroy Him. He withdraws in a way that makes plain that the withdrawal is not due to a lack of strength. Why do I say this?

Topics

• Humility
• Service & Ministry