Lessons from Matthew 12: Sabbath
After teaching and preaching, and ending with rest, Jesus and His disciples walked through the grain fields and picked some grain to eat. Because it was the Sabbath, the Pharisees accused them of violating God’s law.
The Pharisees had indeed made the Sabbath more of a burden rather than a blessing and Jesus was teaching not only His disciples but also those who were opposed to Him. Specifically, He addressed those religious leaders who should have known better.
It has been said that these religious leaders had imposed 39 specific activities which were forbidden to do on the Sabbath. They were imposing their own traditions and rituals and not God’s.
Sabbath Law
Jesus challenged the Pharisees’ authority to make and impose such laws and He argued that they had violated the intent of the law by pointing them to their greatest king, David. He ate the consecrated bread of the temple while Saul was chasing him. Jesus also pointed them to the fact that the priests themselves worked in the Temple on the Sabbath and were innocent. Now, one greater than the temple was in their presence!
They did they not understand that true fulfillment of God’s Word was more than sacrifice. It was given or shown through acts of mercy. Instead of condemning the innocent they should have been helping. This is what God truly desires.
And then before Jesus moved on He declared that He, the son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath. He sets the standard for the Sabbath, not man.
As Jesus and His disciples moved on to another synagogue, a man came up who had a deformed hand. Just looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the religious leaders questioned Jesus by asking Him if it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath. He answered their question with a question.
Jesus asked them what they would do if one of their sheep fell into a pit. He knew they would break their own laws and help it out. But then He finished up the answer to the question by asking them how much more valuable is a man than a sheep!
The Question Answered
The answer to their question was YES it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. And to prove His words and His authority, Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand. Then He restored the man’s hand to be just like the other!
Instead of taking Jesus at His word and rejoicing in his power and authority to heal the man, the Pharisees failed to see the truth. They went out to plot how they might kill Jesus. Because of this, Jesus began to withdraw from that place. But He continued to quietly heal the sick and teach and preach the Word of God to all those who would listen and accept His message of good news!
Thus another fulfillment of the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah.
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach