“Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.”
Matthew 12:14 NLT
Jesus’ hungry disciples had eaten grain from a field on the Sabbath, and on the same Day, Jesus healed a man’s withered hand. THEN the Pharisees called a meeting to plot His death!
What? Call a murder-plotting meeting over a little grain and a restored hand? And yet, how often have we summoned a meeting with something as insignificant as, “Did you hear what so-n-so did?” We may not intentionally plot someone’s death, but as criticism multiplies, our gossip meeting has judged, condemned, and crucified the character of another human being!
If I realized people were plotting against me, I’d want to find that meeting place so I could go and defend myself. But Jesus didn’t! Even though He knew what they were planning, He didn’t go to the Pharisee’s meeting. Instead, Jesus left that area and kept on healing the sick! (v. 15)
Neither criticism nor death-plots could sideline Jesus’ mission! He LEFT those judgmental voices of religion and rules and followed the merciful Voice of redemption and relationship. While pride-filled people plotted to take His life, Jesus went right on giving His life!
“Jesus, help me NEVER call a “death meeting” to crucify someone’s character!
And if I’m ever the target of such a “death meeting," help me...
Leave that area in YOUR hands and keep on healing others with YOUR love.”
