I NEED AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!

MATTHEW 12:18-21: “BEHOLD! MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED! I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL DECLARE JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. HE WILL NOT QUARREL NOR CRY OUT, NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX HE WILL NOT QUENCH, TILL HE SENDS FORTH JUSTICE TO VICTORY; AND IN HIS NAME GENTILES WILL TRUST.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Has anyone ever said to you – “You need an attitude adjustment!” Unfortunately, I have heard this more often than I wish to admit. Whenever I begin the year and start reading the Gospels I find myself taking an inventory of my attitudes. As I read these verses in Matthew chapter 12 I was forced to do so once again.

Matthew, in recording his account of Jesus’ life, makes it a point to show that Jesus is the Messiah by highlighting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the life and ministry of Jesus. In this section of his Gospel, Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-4. This is the prophecy of the coming Messiah which shows both the attitude and demeanor of His ministry.

The Jews were hoping for the Son of David in literal terms. They wanted another warrior King who would overthrow the Roman rule and reestablish Israel as a sovereign nation. They envisioned one who would ride into town with a sword in hand to forcefully and loudly establish His rule and dominion.

Yet, the prophecy of Isaiah shows us a much different picture.

The Messiah would not come with great force. There would be no fanfare, no political posturing, no loud public debate that would establish His rule. Matthew writes about Jesus’ ministry, attitude, and demeanor quoting Isaiah, saying,

“HE WILL DECLARE JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. HE WILL NOT QUARREL NOR CRY OUT, NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.”

Jesus came, not with swords or an army, but with the Good News of the Kingdom of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not come to quarrel, debate, or cry out. He came to establish justice in the hearts of those who would embrace the Kingdom of God by grace through faith. Yes, His miracles did draw crowds, but it was not because Jesus was self-promoting as He went from town to town. It was simply because they saw the power of the Spirit working in and through Jesus’ life.

Next, Jesus would not come to destroy those who were lost or broken. He did not come to destroy but to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not do this by using the letter of God’s Word to condemn the lost. Jesus called the lost and broken to Himself, the living Word, through the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX HE WILL NOT QUENCH, TILL HE SENDS FORTH JUSTICE TO VICTORY; AND IN HIS NAME GENTILES WILL TRUST.”

While it is true that Jesus did not mince words with the religious who were leading men and women astray through their personal hypocrisy and legalistic lifestyle, He never rebuked the broken and downtrodden, He never quenched the spark of faith in the weakest of the weak. He healed the brokenhearted and fanned into flame even the weakest spark of faith in those who sought Him.

How does my attitude toward others match up to those of Jesus? How does my demeanor measure up to the love and graciousness of Jesus? Am I extending the same grace and mercy toward others that Jesus extended to me? Am I walking with patience and a heart of restoration toward those who are lost, struggling, and need to find their way? Am I proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to lead others into the Kingdom of God?

This year is an election year. As the primaries begin, debates and commentaries ensue, how will I position my heart? At the risk of sounding cliche – “What would Jesus do?” How would he react? Would Jesus change His message? Would He take a platform to enter the debate with a megaphone in His hand? Or, would He continue to seek out the poor in spirit, bring freedom to the captives, heal the brokenhearted, and proclaim justice to the soul bound by the power of sin?

I think I know the answer!

Lord, as I begin this New Year, let me do so with the attitude, heart, and demeanor of Jesus. 

I NEED AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!

Pour out Your mercy and grace upon me and grant me the grace to allow it to flow through me to others. Thank You for not breaking me when I am bruised, nor quenching me when my faith is weak. Transform me in the power of Your love so that I can extend Your great love to those in need!

In Jesus’ Name!