Day 289: Matthew 7, 8 and 9

The Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34).

Two groups of people in this vignette respond to Jesus in completely different ways. When Jesus drives a demon out of a man who is mute and the man begins to speak, the crowds proclaim: Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel (v. 33). The Pharisees are less enthusiastic: It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.

Have you ever been frustrated by a back seat driver? The Pharisees remind me of a first century example of the armchair quarterback. When it came to handing out criticism, they went by the adage: ‘Tis more blessed to give than to receive.

In the next paragraph, Jesus is traveling through Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and healing the sick. He connects with the people, and notes that they are like sheep without a shepherd (v. 36). I cannot help but wonder if he was thinking of the Pharisees at this moment; especially when he continues: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (v. 37).

Again, two groups of people: the ones doing the work, and the ones sitting on the sidelines second-guessing the quarterback. Their contribution? Well, if I was in the game… Maybe that’s the problem. Why aren’t they in the game?

Are you playing the game or sitting on the sidelines critiquing the plays? If you’re not already, how could you get in the game?