RE:JESUS - Homework: November 26-27:  Matthew 12

RE: You
Is your life lived according to principles or relationships?

RE: God’s Word
One of the tensions we experience when reading God’s Word is approaching it looking for principles to hang our lives on. This is good and beneficial in part… but the real call of God is to invest in a living relationship with Him. Principled living is needed but not at the exclusion of life with God. Relationship comes first and the truths that flow out of that living relationship spring up naturally.

RE: Context
Chapter 12 starts with Jesus in conflict with some Pharisees. The Pharisees are incensed that Jesus’ disciples are breaking Sabbath rules. The principle comes first for these religious leaders… not life with God. Jesus, on the other hand, reflects the truth of relationship. Because the Son of Man is Lord and is present, He comes before rigid principles. The Lord over the Sabbath is here, and we are called to devote ourselves to Him even at the cost of consistency in convictions.

RE: Response
Are there principles and convictions that come before the Lord in your life? Are you so tied to ideals that you’ve missed relationship?

RE: Application
Consider your relationship with the Father. Think on your relationship with the Son. Is there a living relationship going on? If so, give God thanks. If not, consider how you can move past faithfulness in word and thought only… to the place of faithfulness that is a living and vibrant relationship.