Standing for Truth

Matthew 12:14 - Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

The Pharisees plotted against Jesus, that they might destroy Him. Pretty harsh word, destroy. His ways were not like theirs. I see vindictive men standing opposed to the words of One who loved and cared deeply for all people. And they wanted to destroy Him. 

We are either for Him or against Him. There's no middle ground. Either we heed His words or we ignore them. We either believe them or scoff them. 

As the Pharisees plotted to kill Him because what He spoke was so opposed to their religious traditions, Jesus continued to walk forward knowing He would die for all mankind. He stood His ground because it was truth. He stood for truth. But the Pharisees could not see it.

The Pharisees would much rather have condemned a man for doing something that by human nature was natural, good and far from sin. And so they condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They believed His miracles were of the devil.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in return and added that He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (Matthew 12:30)  And Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:32)

We are in the age to come. His words today are just as truthful as then. Do our words praise the Lord? Or are they idle words? All our words and thoughts will be accounted for some day. Will God find Himself anywhere there? 

The miracle of Jesus' resurrection was that we might recognize His power and all He holds for us when we seek and receive Him. How can we not think more highly of Him than we do? How can we not want to learn of Him apart from the entertainment value of the History Channel or some Hollywood movie? How can we not want the very truth of only His Word? 

Two thousand years ago Jesus began His last days. The plot to kill Him was in full force and all that had been prophesied would take place. He would pray in earnest to the Father that ...if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬)

He has made Himself very known. There is no excuse for not knowing Him. The sun rises and sets, the seasons come and go, there are births and deaths...year after year. Who controls it all? 

Jesus preached the Parable of the Sower. There were four types of soil into which seed was sown. He likened it to man's ability to hear and understand His words. 

Seed tossed on ground without soil is like His words spoken to one who does not understand. Absolutely no rooting can take place.

Stony soil causes quick growth but no strong root. Stony hearts receive for only a short time because it also has not rooted firmly.

Seeds sown in thorny places get choked out by the thorns. This is like the Word that is received but the things of the world are just too important to carry on in the understanding and knowledge/wisdom of the Word.

Seeds planted in good soil, however, goes on to produce a crop and more seed. This is like those who hear, understand, rejoice in and share the Word that this Word would continue to produce.

Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Do we stand for real truth? We either hear or we do not. We either believe or we do not. We either share or we do not. He has made it clear through His Word what is truth. While the Pharisees of long ago sought to kill Him, He lives on. He was victorious in death. 

John 17:17 - Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.