Matthew 12

The Pharisees considered the Sabbath to be a law that must be followed, and punished anyone who broke that law. But Jesus pointed out to them that the Sabbath was not about keeping the law, but about honoring God. Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 when God told Israel that He desires mercy instead of sacrifice. The Pharisees were stuck on the letter of the law, but Jesus came to show us what fulfilling the law actually means - it means honoring God, not just following a bunch of rules. It's the same with Jesus's teachings about murder, adultery, etc... It's a deeper issue than just the outward behavior - it's about our heart.

Matthew then quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 showing that Jesus is the merciful, righteous servant of God. I think this is Matthew's way of reminding his Jewish audience that God did say He would send one who would behave like Jesus is behaving - making the point that Jesus is not violating the law, but fulfilling it.

Verses 22-30 repeat 9:27-34. Jesus healed someone that the Pharisees would never have attempted to heal. They assumed that since Jesus healed a man they deemed unworthy of being healed that He must be working for the devil. They accused God of working for the devil! After this incident Matthew records Jesus as only speaking in parables when He speaks in public, and this is to fulfill the pronouncement of judgement of Isaiah 6:9-10.

Jesus followed up his response to that heretical accusation by pointing out the unpardonable sin. We can only seek and know God by the leading of the Holy Spirit, but anyone who would blaspheme the Holy Spirit neither has the Spirit nor invites His help. Without the Spirit of God we cannot ever hope to draw near to Him or be saved. Simply put - if you don't believe in God, then God can't help you.

Then Jesus begins drawing lines between the good and the bad. We can tell what's in a person's heart by the fruit they bear.

The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign after accusing His miraculous healings of being the devil's work. He pointed out that the people of Nineveh - an enemy that Jonah tried desperately to avoid - were more obedient to God than they are.

Then Jesus warns about leaving room for demons to return. We can't just cast a demon out, but we must also invite the Holy Spirit to fill us.

And then there's a bit of a confusing conversation about His mother and brothers, but Jesus points out that everyone who does the will of God is His true family.