I’M GONNA TELL, I’M GONNA TELL
Matthew – God’s Purposes
As in all young people groups, there will always be those who love to focus on anyone breaking what they think the rules are and go running to the teacher or whomever is in charge shouting, “I’m gonna tell, I’m gonna tell!” (You can hear the sing-songy mocking voice.) They yell this while running so the student who didn’t do what they wanted them to do will KNOW they are going to get them in trouble. We see it throughout every school day on the playground, in the lunch room, in the classroom, on the way to be picked up for the day. All day long it happens with NO MERCY in sight. It’s tiresome for all who have to hear it and solve the accusations.
How tiresome it must of been for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to be followed around by nick-picking tattle-talers of his days called Pharisees. It was the Pharisees and others who tacked on impossible, man-made addendum to God’s original law. It was Jesus who came to help people understand the full intent of God’s Law and the fulfillment of the extent of His love. Here is a perfect example of His love and mercy which led to a plot by the tattletalers to do away with Jesus who is Truth. Tatletalers don’t like Truth. They prefer to create their own truth. Tattletalers show no mercy for others.
Matthew 12, NLT
A Discussion about the Sabbath12 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” 8 For the Son of Man[b] is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT:
Am I a tattle tale or a person who prays to understand Truth in the person of Jesus Christ?
A tattletale is a judge. Am I a judge of others seeking Truth? Do I nit-pick about how others live their lives and tell God he needs to do something about them without knowing what they’re going through at the time? Or do I pray for them with love in my heart, asking God to simply help them in His ways?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I do not pretend to be perfect before you. Cleanse my heart. Transform my life. Help me to focus on You and You alone and not on the faults of others. Help my life reflect Your Truth as the Person of Jesus Christ. Forgive us when we judge others unmercifully. Help us to always show mercy first followed by Your Love in our hearts.
In Jesus Name, Amen
