PREPARING FOR THE SERMON
November 17, 2024
Matthew 11:2-12:50
Context:
Matthew has been described as a “verbal architect.” He used the structure of the book to help communicate. The current passage forms a chiasm in which the center focuses on 12:8 “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Not every paragraph is one point. For instance, verses 2-19 of chapter 11 all relate to John the Baptist. Remember the subtitles and sometimes even the paragraph divisions were not original to the book.
Structure: chiasm is a structure with mirror points (abcba)
11:2-6 “Are You the One?”
11:7-15 John was more than a prophet
11:16-19 wisdom is justified by her deeds
11:20-24 He began to denounce
11:25-27 You have hidden…and revealed
11:28-30 Come to Me
12:1-7 something greater than the temple is here
12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
12:9-14 it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath
12:15-21 This was to fulfill what was spoken
12:22-30 the kingdom of God has come
12:31-32 blasphemy against the Spirit won’t be forgiven
12:33-37 people will give an account
12:38-42 an evil generation seeks for a sign
12:43-45 the last state will be worse than the first
12:46-50 “Who is my mother and brothers?”
Key Ideas: Sabbath, knowing Jesus, following, religion
Some things to think about: