The Savior Who Sees, Restores, and Heals | The Book of Matthew: The King and His Kingdom | Matthew 12:9-21 | Pastor J. M. Lee

Good morning, and welcome to Mission Church!

My name is John, and I have the privilege of serving as the lead pastor here. At Mission Church, we are passionate about partnering with God to see His Kingdom come in every space and place where He has positioned us.

Go ahead and grab your Bible and turn with me to Matthew 12.

Last week, in verses 1-8, we focused on an incredible truth — we set our gaze on the freedom that we have in Christ. We saw how Jesus stripped away the crushing burden of legalism and revealed that God’s heart is not about rigid rules but about mercy, compassion, and relationship. And I don’t know about you — but for me — last week was a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are set free—not to perform, but to rest in His grace.

This week — as we continue in Matthew 12 — we’re stepping into a new scene that builds on that same truth. Once again — we have front row seats to another Sabath day controversy — and we will watch as Jesus challenges the religious leaders of His day. But this time — it’s not just about the Sabbath or even about legalism — rather — it’s a revelation of who Jesus is and what kind of kingdom He’s bringing — a kingdom of rest for the weary, hope for the broken, and justice for the oppressed.

So today, as we open God’s Word, my prayer is that we would see Jesus more clearly — not just as someone who offers us freedom from legalism, but as the Servant King who leads with mercy, truth, and compassion.

So — with this in mind —please stand for the reading of God’s word.

Matthew 12:9–21 (CSB)

9 Moving on from there, he entered their synagogue. 10 There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

11 He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? 12 A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.

15 Jesus was aware of this and withdrew. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. 16 He warned them not to make him known, 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not argue or shout,

and no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 He will not break a bruised reed,

and he will not put out a smoldering wick,

until he has led justice to victory.

21 The nations will put their hope in his name.

This is the Word of the Lord

Lets Pray

Let’s face it—life— well life can be challenging. For there is brokenness all around us. We see it on the news — we see it in our relationships, and sometimes — even in the mirror. It’s the unrelenting pressure of life’s demands, the pain of physical or emotional wounds that don’t seem to heal, and the injustice we witness in the world around us. Let’s be honest — at times — life lived in a broken world can sometimes feel overwhelming.

I don’t know about you but there are times when I find myself asking, “Is anyone paying attention!? Does anyone really care? Am I alone in this!?”

Maybe for you — it’s a physical illness that lingers no matter what you try. Or perhaps it’s a relationship that feels like it’s falling apart. Maybe it’s the endless stream of bad news—the injustice, the suffering, and the broken systems in the world—that leaves you feeling numb. If we’re honest, it’s easy to wonder: Where is God in all of this? Does He see me? And — can I truly trust Him to bring healing and justice when life feels so out of control?

Well — I want you to know that — you’re not alone in those questions. Every Christian — pursuing faithfulness to Jesus and His mission — can relate. In fact, the tension we all feel—this struggle between the brokenness we live in and the hope we long for—is not new. It’s the same tension the people in Jesus’ day experienced. They lived under Roman oppression, rigid religious legalism, and deep personal pain. They longed for healing, for hope, and for justice. And many of them struggled to see who Jesus really was and what His mission meant for them.

This morning, — we’re stepping into a moment of tension just like that. On the surface, our text seems like it’s just another story about the Sabbath — or a controversy between Jesus and the Pharisees or even a simple story about Jesus healing someone. But if we look closely, we’ll see that Matthew is painting a deeper picture — in fact — our text today is a breathtaking revelation of who Jesus is and the kind of kingdom He is bringing — And — as we look closely at our text — we will discover two key truths about Jesus that will give us reason to trust Him even in a broken and weary world.

Let’s begin with ..

I. Jesus is the Merciful King who cares for the broken.

Look back at verse 9

Matthew 12:9 (CSB)

9 Moving on from there, he entered their synagogue.

After leaving the grainfields, Matthew tells us that Jesus entered their synagogue. Now, Matthew writes as if this new interaction is happening right after the previous controversy in the grainfields. But Luke’s Gospel (Luke 6:6) tells us that this actually took place on a different Sabbath day.

Still, it’s likely that this controversy involves the same set of Pharisees. And Matthew connects the two events intentionally—because they build on the same theme: the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders over what the Sabbath is truly about.

Now, it’s important to remember that Jesus regularly attended the synagogue. In fact, Luke 4:16 tells us it was His custom to be there on the Sabbath — so this wasn’t unusual for Him. And this particular synagogue was likely in Capernaum—which was essentially Jesus’ home base for His entire ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:13; 8:5; 9:1). In other words — Jesus spent a lot of time here, teaching, healing, and ministering to the people.

But did you notice how Matthew refers to the synagogue? He doesn’t just call it "the synagogue." He calls it “their synagogue.” That’s a significant detail. Think about it—why does Matthew describe it this way?

Well — by calling it “their synagogue,” Matthew is pointing us to the growing divide between Jesus and the religious establishment. He’s not just describing a building—he’s highlighting a clash of values. The Pharisees were clinging to their authority, their traditions, and their rigid interpretation of the law. Meanwhile, Jesus was ushering in a new kingdom—a kingdom that prioritized mercy and restoration over legalism.

Yes, geographically, this synagogue could just as easily be called "His." After all, Jesus spent so much time here. But relationally, the tension was undeniable. This was the Pharisees’ territory. They were the influential leaders in the synagogue, the ones holding the prominent seats and positions of authority (Matthew 23:6–7).

So, when Jesus walks into their synagogue on the Sabbath, He’s not just entering a building. He’s stepping into the wolves’ den—into a space dominated by people who were increasingly looking for ways to trap Him, accuse Him, and ultimately destroy Him. And that’s exactly what they attempt to do here — look at verse 10

Matthew 12:10 (CSB)

10 There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

As Jesus entered the synagogue, He encountered a man with a withered hand. Now—understand—this man didn’t rush up to Jesus and beg for help. There’s no indication that he even said a word. In fact, before Jesus could do anything for him—before the man even had a chance to speak—the Pharisees stepped in.

They were ready. It’s almost as if they had been watching and waiting for this very moment. And finally, the stars aligned, and the first words out of their mouths were: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

Now—let’s be clear—this wasn’t an innocent question. The Pharisees weren’t curious. They couldn’t have cared less about Jesus’ interpretation of the Sabbath or even the man with a shriveled hand. This was a trap! It was sarcastic, self-righteous, and confrontational. Essentially, they were saying, “Are you REALLY going to do this TOO, Jesus? Are you SERIOUSLY going to break the Sabbath by healing this man?”

And that raises a question: “Why were these guys so worked up about healing?” Well—in their rigid interpretation of the law, healing was considered “work,” and work wasn’t allowed on the Sabbath unless it was absolutely necessary—like if someone’s life was in danger. A withered hand? That wasn’t life-threatening. So, in their minds, this man’s healing could have waited until the Sabbath was over.

You see—according to their false understanding and interpretation of the Law—healing this man on the Sabbath would have been an unnecessary violation of God’s law.

But let’s stop for a moment and think about this man’s condition. A withered hand wasn’t just a minor inconvenience. His hand was shriveled, lifeless, and useless—likely the result of disease, injury, or nerve damage. This wasn’t just a small problem—No!—this would have affected every part of this man’s life.

You see—he lived in a society that depended on manual labor. And for this man, his condition would have made providing for himself and his family extremely difficult.

But it wasn’t just the physical limitations. There was likely a social cost as well. In the Jewish world of that time, physical deformities like a withered hand were often seen as signs of sin or divine punishment. And—even if that wasn’t true—it’s safe to say this man lived with shame and knew what it felt like to be excluded. He lived on the fringes of society, looked down upon by others.

And every time he glanced down at his hand, it was a visible reminder of the brokenness we all experience in a fallen world—a world where things don’t work the way they’re supposed to.

Imagine what it must have felt like for this man. Day after day, living with the shame of being seen as ‘less than,’ the frustration of being unable to work like others, and the pain of being excluded from the life everyone else seemed to enjoy

Now—you’d think that seeing this man’s condition would have stirred up compassion in the Pharisees. But instead of focusing on this man’s need, they immediately turned their attention to Jesus.

And — their question wasn’t just sarcastic—it was downright malicious. Understand — they weren’t simply asking for clarity or insight. They were hoping that Jesus would say something or do something that they could use against Him.

You see—if Jesus healed the man, they could accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath. And if He refused to heal the man, they could criticize Him for lacking compassion. Either way, they thought they had Him cornered.

Do you see what’s happening here? The Pharisees were so caught up in their rigid interpretation of the law that they were—once again—missing the bigger picture. They were more concerned about trapping Jesus than they were about the man standing right in front of them. They were so focused on their rules that they failed to see the opportunity for mercy and compassion.

Now — Imagine this scene with me: Jesus is standing in the synagogue on the Sabbath. There’s the man with the withered hand — who did not ask to be the center of attention on this particular Sabbath day — yet there he awkwardly and uncomfortable stood before the crowd — unsure of what will happen next. All eyes are fixed on Jesus. The Pharisees— their arms crossed — their hearts are hard and they are watching — waiting for Jesus to fall into their trap.

And here’s what I love about Jesus—He doesn’t avoid the Pharisees’ trap. He doesn’t sidestep the tension. Instead, Jesus steps right into the mess. Why? To care for this man in his brokenness and to reveal the cold, dead, and unsympathetic hearts of these religious leaders. Look at verses 11

Matthew 12:11 (CSB)

11 He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out?

Of course, they would! The answer is obvious. No one in that room would leave their sheep to suffer. A sheep—even just one—was valuable. It made sense to rescue it, even if it required a little effort on the Sabbath.

And then Jesus drives the point home in verse 12

Matthew 12:12 (CSB)

12 A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”

Think about what He’s saying. If it’s okay to show mercy to an animal on the Sabbath—and everyone in the room knew it was—how much more important is it to show mercy to a human being, someone created in the very image of God?

And — the Pharisees didn’t dare argue with Him. They couldn’t. Even their own traditions allowed for rescuing animals on the Sabbath. But here’s the tragic irony: these men, who were so quick to show compassion for their livestock, couldn’t bring themselves to care about a fellow human being—someone standing right in front of them, suffering.

The Pharisees hearts were so consumed by rules, appearances, and traditions, and they had completely lost sight of the heart of God. They claimed to love the Sabbath, but in their obsession with religious externals, they abandoned what the Sabbath was truly about—a day for worship, rest, and acts of mercy that reflect God’s character.

Understand — Jesus wasn’t just trying to win an argument about Sabbath rules. He was teaching something far greater — He was teaching them and He was teaching us that it is always right to do good. That’s why He says, “It is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”

In other words — refusing to heal this man wouldn’t have been neutral—it would have been wrong. To withhold mercy when you have the chance to do good is to cause harm.

Luke make this point even stronger in His account. Consider Luke 6:9.

Luke 6:9 (CSB)

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

And — the answer is so obvious — so undeniable — that no one in the room would have argued with Him. And so what does Jesus do? Well — He doesn’t just make His point—He acts

Matthew 12:13 (CSB)

13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other.

Now — pause for a moment and picture this. Jesus didn’t touch the man. He didn’t do anything that could remotely be considered “work” by the Pharisees’ standards. He simply spoke. But His words carried enough power to heal the man instantly. Isn’t that amazing!!!

And this amazing scene accomplished two things. First, it reveals Jesus’ authority—not just as a healer, but as the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was never meant to restrict compassion or withhold restoration. By healing this man, Jesus shows that He is the fulfillment of everything the Sabbath was meant to represent—rest, renewal, and life.

Second, this healing demonstrates the restorative nature of God’s justice. You see — In that moment, Jesus didn’t just restore the man’s hand—He restored the man’s dignity, his livelihood, and his ability to thrive. This wasn’t just about fixing a physical problem; it was about bringing restoration and renewal to his life. This is what Jesus does. He sees our brokenness, and He meets us right where we are.

But now, look at verse 14. How do the Pharisees respond to this incredible miracle? Do they celebrate? Do they worship? Do they even show a hint of awe? No. Instead, they — look at verse 14

Matthew 12:14 (CSB)

14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.

Think about that. Jesus has just healed a man—a moment that should have brought joy and worship—and all the Pharisees can think about is how to protect their power and traditions. Rather than softening their hearts, their hearts harden even further.

This is where the brokenness of the world becomes painfully clear. These religious leaders, who claimed to love and follow God, were more concerned with preserving their man-made rules than with celebrating the restoration of a human life. They cared more about protecting their traditions than embracing the Servant King who had come to bring life, compassion, justice, and hope.

You see— This passage isn’t just about another Sabbath debate. It’s not even primarily about Jesus correcting the Pharisees’ twisted interpretation of the law. No, this is about something far greater—it’s about Jesus as the merciful King.

He’s the Lord of the Sabbath, but notice how He uses His authority. Not to enforce rules or pile on more burdens—but to lift them. He reveals the very heart of God by doing good, by showing mercy, and by restoring a man who desperately needed healing.

But it doesn’t stop there. This moment points us forward to the ultimate act of mercy. Think about it—those same hands that healed this man would one day stretch out on a cross to heal something much greater: the sin and brokenness of the entire world.

Isaiah 53 says it beautifully

Isaiah 53:5 (CSB)

5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

You see — Jesus doesn’t just offer us Sabbath rest—He is our rest. He’s the Servant King who brings justice with compassion, mercy, and hope for the weary. And because of who He is, we can trust Him.

Friend, listen to me—wherever you find yourself this morning, hear this: You can trust Jesus to meet you right in the middle of your brokenness. You can trust Him to care for the deepest needs of your heart. And you can trust Him to lead you with a love that is both gentle and full of mercy.

Brothers and sisters, this is your Savior. This is Jesus—the one who doesn’t avoid our mess, but steps right into it. The one who doesn’t heap burdens on us, but lifts them. The one who brings healing, hope, and rest to weary hearts. Jesus is the Merciful King who cares for the broken.

II.Jesus is the Just Servant who brings hope to the weary

Now — let’s step back for a moment and consider what’s just happened. Jesus — right in front of everyone — he healed this man while also exposing the Pharisees’ hard hearts. And — in response — the Pharisees leave the synagogue — and their hatred for Jesus boils over into a full-blown conspiracy.

Can you imagine!!? A group of religious leaders, so blinded by their traditions — so blinded by their pride and self righteousness that they respond to an act of mercy with a murderous heart.

But how does Jesus respond? Well — Look at verse 15.

Matthew 12:15–17 (CSB)

15 Jesus was aware of this and withdrew. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all. 16 He warned them not to make him known, 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

Now— don’t misunderstand — Jesus isn’t running away out of fear. No! He left because it wasn’t His time.

Even Jesus Himself said this in John 7:6.

John 7:6 (CSB)

6 Jesus told them, “My time has not yet arrived…

In other words — Jesus’ withdrew — and — not because he was avoiding conflict—but — because He was intent on fulfilling His mission. And even as He stepped away — notice that Jesus did not stop doing what He came to do.

Even with danger closing in — Jesus didn’t back down. He continued to preach — He continued to heal. You see —Jesus was on a Divine seek and rescue mission and there was nothing or no one who was going to stop Him!

And as Matthew observed and reflected on everything he was watching Jesus do — something clicked. In that moment Matthew realized that Jesus wasn’t just any teacher or healer. No! Matthew saw the truth that Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the future Servant—the one chosen by God who would come and bring justice into the world.

You see — Matthew shines the spotlight on Jesus by connecting His actions to Old Testament prophecy—something we’ve seen him do over and over again throughout this Gospel. Think about it — in the Old Testament — there are over three hundred specific prophecies about the coming Messiah.

For example, it was foretold that He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), that He would be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), and even that His executioners would gamble for His clothing (Psalm 22:18). And what’s amazing is that these prophecies were written hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth.

The odds of one person fulfilling all of them? Astronomical. But Jesus fulfills every single one—perfectly. And here’s what’s so fascinating about this prophecy from Isaiah 42 — Unlike most — this prophecy doesn’t focus on what the Messiah would do—His miracles, His teachings, or His victory over sin and death. Instead, it focuses on how He would do it. And — it reveals something amazing about the heart of Jesus — about His character—and what His mission is all about.

Look at verse 18

Matthew 12:18 (CSB)

18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

First — notice that Jesus is the chosen Servant of God. And this truth speaks to the reality that Jesus wasn’t sent reluctantly or randomly. No! He is deeply loved by the Father and He was chosen. Which means — that everyone else who have been elected by the Sovereign God are elected in Christ —who is the supreme elect One. Isn’t that amazing!?!

Now — underline or take note of the phrase “my beloved in whom I delight.” This phrase reveals to us the intimacy and the joy between the Father and the Son. And this phrase should bring to mind Jesus’ baptism. Do you remember the scene? In Matthew 3 we read about how when John the Baptist brought Jesus up out of the water — God the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and God the Father declared from heaven…

Matthew 3:17 (CSB)

17 …“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

This word “beloved” speaks of the deep, rich, and profound relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Friends— Jesus is God’s beloved Son — who was chosen, sent, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish His mission to make things right—to bring order, restoration, and peace to a broken world.

And Matthew by way of the prophet Isaiah tells us how Jesus will accomplish His mission. look at verse 19 —

Matthew 12:19 (CSB)

19 He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.

Isn’t that remarkable? Jesus didn’t come to make a scene or to draw attention to Himself with loud arguments or public displays. He didn’t promote Himself or push others aside to prove a point. Instead, He came with humility, gentleness, and quiet strength.

This is so counterintuitive, isn’t it? In our world, power is often loud and demanding — or even passive aggressive. But Jesus’ way is different. He doesn’t force His authority on anyone—He invites. He doesn’t crush His opposition—He restores.

And this is exactly what we see in the final verses of this section look at verse 20-21

Matthew 12:20–21 (CSB)

20 He will not break a bruised reed,

and he will not put out a smoldering wick,

until he has led justice to victory.

21 The nations will put their hope in his name.

What a beautiful picture of Jesus’ love — His mercy — and His compassion.

Think about it — A bruised reed is fragile, weak, and barely holding on. A smoldering wick is flickering, on the verge of going out. And both of these pictures represent people who are hurting, weary, and broken. And what does Jesus do with them? Well — He doesn’t break the reed. He doesn’t snuff out the wick. No ! He tenderly restores, strengthens, and renews.

This is the heart of our Lord — He is a Savior who doesn’t crush the weak; He lifts them up. He doesn’t discard the broken; He restores them. And He keeps doing this “until He has led justice to victory.” In other words — Jesus’ mission isn’t just about compassion — it’s about bringing God’s ultimate justice into the world. Brothers and sisters — we can live with the confident assurance that Jesus will make all things right — fully and completely — until justice reigns forever.

Friends — Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus is the Just Servant who brings hope to the weary. Which is good news — especially if you’re weary.

I don’t know about you — but there are days when I am weary — days when feel like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick — days when I feel broken, burned out, and barely holding on. Perhaps you too have felt like this? Perhaps you have also had moments when you’ve had no strength, no hope, and maybe no real faith at all. Maybe you’re here this morning and you’re feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or like you’re barely holding on. You doubt more than you believe. You struggle to pray, and when you do pray, it feels weak. Maybe you’ve even thought to yourself, ‘I’m too broken for God to want me let alone use me.’

Here’s the good news: Jesus sees you. And Jesus — well — He doesn’t crush the weak or discard the broken. He meets you in your weariness with gentleness and compassion. He restores what’s been lost, strengthens what’s weak, and renews what’s fading. Friend — Jesus sees the potential in even the smallest spark of faith. Where the world might dismiss you, Jesus values you. Where others might get frustrated with your weakness, Jesus draws near to you. He doesn’t crush the weak—He restores us. He doesn’t extinguish the faint—He fans us into a flame.

And here’s what’s even more incredible—Jesus doesn’t stop there. You see — He’s not just compassionate; He’s victorious. The same Servant who restores you is also the King who will lead justice to victory. He will make all things right. And in Him, we can find real hope— a hope that will never fade — a hope that will never fail.

Brothers and sisters—this is your Savior. And He is gentle. He is patient, He is compassionate. And — He is victorious! You can be sure that He will handle your weakness with care — and you can be confident that the good work that He started in you — He will see to it that it’s completed — which means — friend — you can live with confidence that You will stand before the Lord one day completely whole — and not as a result of your strength or your hard work — but as a result of a servant savior who is building his kingdom out broken reeds and smoldering wicks.

So here’s my final question for you: Where are you putting your hope today?

Are you putting it in your own strength? In the approval of others? In the temporary things of this world? Or are you putting it in the only one who can truly deliver—the Servant King, Jesus Christ?

Friend, wherever you find yourself today, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus. Trust Him to meet you in your brokenness. Trust Him to care for your deepest needs. Trust Him to lead you with gentleness and mercy.

This is your Savior. This is Jesus. The one who doesn’t avoid our mess but steps right into it. The one who doesn’t crush the weak but restores them. The one who doesn’t just bring justice—but leads it to victory.

Jesus is the Merciful King who cares for the broken.

Jesus is the Just Servant who brings hope to the weary

Lets Pray.

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