Restoration in the Desert
Here in Arizona, we’ve had a few good rains. In a desert, a little rain goes a long way. The mountains and valleys shift from hazy brownish-yellow to vibrant green almost overnight. Frogs emerge from the dirt where they’ve been hibernating, and wildlife rushes to take advantage of the rare, life-giving presence of water.
Sometimes, our lives feel just as dry. We cram thirty hours of activity into every twenty-four-hour day. To make room, we sacrifice the “you” time — the quiet moments that restore us — so we don’t strain relationships with our children or spouse. But, those relationships strain anyway. We’re running on empty, and without refueling, we get salty. Irritable. Reactive.
This is how we push away the things that matter most. We end up doing what my pastor calls “majoring in the minors” — focusing on the trivial while neglecting the critical.
Sovereignty Over Ritual
In Matthew 12:8, the Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking the Sabbath law by picking grain. They’re focused on regulation, not restoration. Eating is how we fuel the body — but they’re only interested in catching Jesus in a violation.
Then in Matthew 12:10, they test Him again in the synagogue. A man with a withered hand stands nearby. Being healed is not something he seeks. His faith is never declared. He doesn’t even speak. Yet Jesus heals him.
This moment reveals something profound: God is sovereign. He acts not because we ask, believe, or perform — but because He wills. Our struggle stems from building a transactional faith. Healing and salvation should, in our view, follow our actions. Believing, we pray, and we expect results.
But that’s a “me-centered” religion. It makes us the trigger. God doesn’t need our input to act. He is God. What He desires is our willingness to receive and our gratitude for His love.
Some might label this view Calvinist. I don’t worship Calvin — I worship Christ. Yes, I prayed and asked Jesus to be my Lord. But would I have done that if He hadn’t first drawn me and changed my heart? I was not just lost — I was dead (Ephesians 2:1). And dead men don’t decide.
Unity Over Division
The church often debates these theological nuances. Some take offense when I call them minor discrepancies. This is how Satan divides the house of God. We must guard against false doctrine, yes — but we must not let minor differences fracture the body.
Jesus heals one man who cries out, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30), and another who says nothing at all (Matthew 12:10). That’s His prerogative. Meanwhile, division destroys movements, churches, and families. Jesus calls us to unity — not tribalism (Matthew 12:25).
The Crowd at the Lakeshore
In Matthew 13:1–2, Jesus leaves the house and sits by the lake — the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd gathers. These were small towns, maybe with a few hundred or a thousand people, but they came from all around because Jesus was drawing them.
Last weekend, we saw hundreds of thousands gather for a memorial that became a revival. Millions more watched online. Could this be the beginning of another Great Awakening? Or the last?
In Matthew 13:24–30, Jesus warns us that the enemy will plant weeds among the wheat. False teachers and converts will rise. But we must not uproot them — lest we harm the good crop. Discernment is essential, but so is patience. Share what you’ve learned. Show the light. Don’t fight over process.
Weeds After the Rain
After these summer rains, my yard is full of weeds. And most of the green we see in the mountains and valleys? Weeds too. But in Matthew 13:41, Jesus says His angels will separate the weeds at harvest. That’s not our job. Ours is to encourage others to seek the Lord — not to quibble over methods.
There is only one process that matters: God saves. Jesus is the only Way (John 14:6).
Tomorrow, we will read Matthew 14-16.
Footnotes
“Matthew 12:10–Healing Without Request,” God’s Blessing Commentary, https://godsbless.ing/commentary/matthew/matthew_12_10/.
“Matthew 13:24–30–Parable of the Weeds,” Bible Repository, https://biblerepository.com/matthew-1324-30/.