Change Your Mind!
Scripture Reading — Matthew 12:1-14
“If you had known what these words mean …”
Matthew 12:7
Politicians often make promises while campaigning for an election. Once elected, however, they face real-world realities and often have to change their minds, whether they—or we—like it or not.
Jesus asked the Jewish religious leaders to change their minds about God. They reacted strongly to his challenge—they wanted to kill him. The Pharisees were concerned because the law called for no work on the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples decided to gather some food for a snack, but they were caught by the religious police who were looking for a fight. Jesus did not want to debate them. But he did want to set the record straight about God’s intentions for the Sabbath.
In Jesus, the Sabbath was fulfilled by his coming into the world to bring true rest. Jesus used Scripture to back his claims. The Sabbath was for praising God for the gift of Jesus as the law-fulfiller. The Sabbath was for doing good, such as healing a man’s shriveled hand. The Sabbath was for worship. Jesus was asking them to change their minds about God because of what they had witnessed in him. But instead “the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”
A changed mind is better than a closed heart when it comes to listening to Jesus, who teaches the truth. In God’s eyes, does anything need to change in your mind?
Jesus, surprise me with your grace and mercy today. Open my heart and change my mind, for your name’s sake. Help me to live with love for everyone around me. Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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