Today's lesson comes from Matthew 12: 1-13. There were several times when Jesus was called into question for things which He did on the Sabbath. There were numerous Old Testament laws relative to keeping the Sabbath. Christ's coming did not do away with the Sabbath and its observance. The followers of Christ recognized the first day of the week as the "Lord's Day," and observed as the Christian Sabbath.
The Pharisees focused their attention on the Law and the temple. These became the heart of their religion. However, they were only the "means" to point men to the "end," which was Christ. The Pharisees staunchly defended the external while rejecting the eternal. Christianity is about a relationship with Christ. Sabbath observance is important for us today. It is a dedicated time for the development of our relationship with God (Mark 2: 27). The focus on externals is seen today's lesson. The disciples were hungry and plucked a few ears of corn to eat as they continued on with Jesus. The law permitted to do so without it being considered stealing. "When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hands.... (Deuteronomy. 23:25) The Sabbath was created for the spiritual benefit of the Jewish nation under the Old Covenant. However, its usefulness was completed with the completion of the Old Covenant at the death of Christ on Calvary. Christ would institute a New Covenant, along with the Lord's Day or a "new Sabbath."
The first section is "The Need of the Hour Met." vv. 1, 2 In these two verses, we find Jesus' disciples walking through a field with Him. They were hungry and picked some grain to eat. The Pharisees took issue with the disciples and believed they were violating the Sabbath, and by implication Jesus also since they were His disciples. The issue was not stealing. To pick grain in this situation was specifically allowed (Deuteronomy 23: 25. The Pharisee's oral law prohibited reaping and threshing (rubbing the heads together in their hands as those actions were considered work. Since Jesus was responsible or their behavior, the allegations by the Pharisees was against Him. If the Jewish leaders were so concerned with the disciples "working" to get food, they could have offered them a meal! The Pharisees preferred criticism over compassion.
Jesus was able to meet the need of every hour based on what provision was available. When feeding the 5000 and 4000, He used the bread and fish that was available. In this section, no need for a miracle existed. It was a simple process of plucking the ears of corn. The Pharisees were so caught up with legalism and following their traditions that they overlooked the necessity of preserving life. Religious rule without mercy is harsh and harshness has nothing to recommend it. You may have known people that were so committed to following man-made rules that they lacked compassion to act like Jesus. The Pharisees did then what many do now. They were critical of those following Jesus Christ because it is always easier to criticize than complement. Today, those who would find fault with the church will find fault even with the Lord Who is present at church. The bottom line, Jesus is always present to meet the needs of His people.
The second section is "The Lord of the Sabbath's Response." vv. 3-8 Jesus' response is fourfold:
1. Don't you remember what David did when he and his men were hungry and they ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to do?
2. Don't you know that the priests profane the Sabbath by slaying the animals for sacrifice?
3. Don't you know that there is One greater than the temple is this place?
4. Don't you know that the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day?
Jesus is the Lord of Mercy as well as Lord of the Sabbath. He was telling the Pharisees that there was One in their midst greater than the temple. Those that desired mercy would see the One that was a full of mercy. The ones blinded would see nothing but the violation of law.
The third section is "Healing in the Synagogue on the Sabbath." vv. 9-13 In this section, Jesus is going to demonstrate what He stated in verse 8, that He was Lord of the Sabbath. While the Pharisees were looking for an opportunity to snare Jesus in their legal technicalities, Jesus was more concerned with doing good to someone in need. Jesus attempts to reason with the Pharisees arguing that they would help a sheep in need on the Sabbath, so why not a human being who is better than a sheep.
We are to worship God on the Sabbath, and at the same time, we are to do good by helping those in need, relieving the lonely, visiting the sick, and helping the poor. The very nature of Christianity is mercy to the hurting, the weak, and the hungry. It is just like Jesus to take what we give Him that is broken and He returns it to us whole. Jesus will make our loss eternal gain. The section ends with Jesus performing a miracle and healing the man's withered hand. We need to turn our "withered hands" over to Jesus today so He might return them to us whole.
The Golden Text: "For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." (Matthew 12:8) The Jewish leaders had the Law and the Prophets that would establish who Jesus was. They rejected Jesus in favor of their man-made religion. Too often today, people put their religion, their church, their denomination over Jesus. Let us be ever mindful that the nature of Christianity is mercy and act like it.
My summary points:
1. Jesus will meet our physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
2. Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath (don't make up rules to cloud the truth).
3. Jesus will take what is broken and repair it when He returns it to us.
Next week, "The Parables of the Kingdom." Matthew 13: 36-50
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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