Matthew 12:6 “But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.”
Job said: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”
You need and I need someone Greater than our Troubles! We face uncertain times; we need someone Greater than our Times and Uncertainty! There is ONE who is greater, and His name is Jesus!
A Striking Statement Jesus makes two striking statements in this passage: Matthew 12:6 “But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.” The temple was a massive and impressive structure. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world. A developed site of around 30 acres. The Temple and the multiple court structure were 40 years in building and beautifying. Standing 150 feet tall, the equivalence of a 15 story building the Temple was the most massive and imposing site they had ever seen. But Jesus was GREATER than the greatest structure
ever built!
Later in the passage, in verse 42 He makes another bold statement:
Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Solomon! Who could be compared to Solomon! Gifted with Wisdom from God on High Enriched with gold, silver, jewels, power, majesty and honor like no king before or after him in Israel Sought out by the world for his counsel and wisdom But Jesus was GREATER than Solomon!
These two statements are both are placed in the context of this chapter. Jesus deals with and addresses four specific problems and demonstrates that He is Greater than them all:
A Persistent Problem (12:1-8 / 2)
Our passage in Matthew 12 Jesus both is confronted, and He confronts a problematic group: The Pharisees.
In this chapter alone:
12:2 – They Disrespect Jesus and his disciples
12:10 – They try to Distract Jesus
12:14 – They sought to Destroy Jesus
12:24 – They Disparaged Jesus
12:38 – They desired to Discredit Jesus
They were nit-picking, fault finding, jealous people who wanted nothing more than to get rid of Jesus. They represent a problem that just doesn’t go away. All through the life and ministry of Jesus they were there to oppose and hinder him. But Jesus is GREATER! Some problems just don’t go away. The Lord does not remove them but expects that we go through them or rise above them.
Paul had a persistent problem. It seems to have been a physical problem that had an underlying spiritual origin. Paul asked the Lord to take it away:
2Co 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
No matter what your Persistent problem is, Jesus is Greater.
An Impossible Problem (12:9-14 / 10)
Leaving this scene, Jesus moves to a synagogue where he is confronted again the Pharisees and also a man with a withered hand.
This was a Personal Problem
This was a Physical Problem
This was an Impossible Problem
Even today in 2020 with all of our marvelous technical and medical advances this is still an impossible problem. There are some problems that only God can fix. Jesus is GREATER than our Personal problems, our Perplexing Problems and our Impossible problems. Jesus is greater than an Impossible Problem!
A Pervasive Problem (12:15-21 / 15)
Moving from a personal problem, Jesus leaves the synagogue and a great multitude follows Jesus and we see that He healed them – ALL. This is a pervasive or large problem that everyone faces. Jesus is great enough for every individual problem and He is great enough for the problems for everyone. There is certainly one pervasive problem that we all have – a sin problem! Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Have you looked to Jesus to save your eternal soul? Jesus is Greater than any Pervasive Problem!
A Paranormal Problem (12:22-32 / 22)
The fourth problem Jesus confronts in this passage is not natural but supernatural.
Some problems are physical
Some problems are emotional
Some problems are mental
Some problems are financial
Some problems are relational
Some problems are Spiritual
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
But Jesus is GREATER! There is no power natural or supernatural greater than Jesus! Jesus is greater than any spiritual problem you are facing. Jesus is Greater! There is no one who was Born Like Jesus of a Virgin’s womb There is no one who LIVED like Jesus a sinless Life There is no one who SPOKE like Jesus such gracious
words of Life. There is no one who with POWER like Jesus who calmed the storm, healed the sick, raised the dead, opened the blind eyes and make the lame to walk!
There is no one who DIED like Jesus, the sinless sacrifice for others
There is no one who AROSE like Jesus, victorious over death and the grave!
There is no one who LIVES like Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, intercession for us, giving the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life by faith in Him!
One Greater is Here! Dear one there is one greater than any fear or problem you may have and that is Jesus! Look to Him today to be Saved. Look to Him today to be Secure.
Pastor Robert Pophal
Rose Park Baptist Church | Holland, MI
https://rpbcholland.org
