• East Martin CRC

Fruit of the Journey

Updated: Mar 26, 2020

Matthew 12:7-14


Yesterday we saw the Pharisees trying to claim Jesus didn't care about the law Moses was given because His disciples were eating grain fresh picked on the Sabbath. He told them that if they understood the prophecy of Hosea, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6) they wouldn't have condemned the innocent. The Pharisees aren't giving up.

Did you notice where Jesus and the 12 went next? They go to the synagogue of those Pharisees! He knew they didn't like Him and were trying to discredit Him and yet He walked into their home territory. That made them happy as they hoped to find a reason to bring charges against Him. His seeing a man with a crippled hand seemed like the perfect set up. A man with a crippled hand would likely find it hard to work or do much of anything. But Jesus wasn't to be tripped up and once again answers their question with a question of His own. Then Jesus added a verbal punch of His own, "Aren't people more valuable than sheep?" This is the second time the Pharisees seem to be putting the obeying of the law above showing the spirit of the law towards others.

Jesus was basically asking them if there was ever a time when it was not lawful to show love to another human being. Paul pointed this out in Galatians 5:22-23 where he said, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." See The Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit we have as His followers. And the fruit that He bore is the same fruit we are to be bearing. Is this fruit growing in you? There is no law against loving as Jesus did.

Making it personal

Do you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? What are some ways you see them evident in your life? Are they evident in your home?

Making it personal kids

Draw a variety of fruit that you like to eat and write the names of the different things listed by Paul. Do you have these traits? Talk with your mom and dad about what each of these traits mean.

Closing prayer

Father, please grow this fruit in us. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we can live as You lived and love like You love. Thank You. In Jesus' name, amen.

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