Matthew 12:1-21 Jesus Straightens Out the Pharisees' Thinking

There's quite an interesting picture here that isn't immediately obvious -- Jesus and his disciples are walking through a ripe field of wheat.  (They weren't necessarily out in the country on a farm -- I remember well the wheat fields in front of my parents' house where houses now fill the blocks.)  What is funny is imagining the group of Pharisees and scribes in their robes walking just a short distance behind Jesus and his followers, waiting for the opportunity to take notes and accuse them of "doing work" on the Sabbath.  As I think about it, I wonder why Jesus didn't rightfully accuse them of doing work -- following his group and conducting surveillance on the Sabbath!

My commentary referred to Deut. 23:24-25 to show that it was lawful to satisfy your hunger from your neighbor's field (so they weren't stealing).  It was "a tradition of the scribes and Pharisees that doing so on the Sabbath breached the Law."

Jesus defended the act by first reminding them how David and his men had eaten consecrated bread that was to be eaten only by the priests.  David wasn't condemned for breaking that law.  He also reminded them that priests worked on the sabbath, presenting sacrifices.  He then quoted from the prophet Hosea where God said, "I want kindness more than animal sacrifices."  The priests were giving animal sacrifices, but God wanted kindness and mercy on the Sabbath.  "Not doing good on the Sabbath day (or any other day) is the same as doing evil," my commentary said.

Also, Jesus said, "So the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."  My commentary says that by declaring this, "Jesus was actually affirming equality with God, for God had established the Sabbath."  He then proceeded to heal a man with a paralyzed hand, proving His claim.

Amazingly, the Pharisees and scribes then sinned on the Sabbath by plotting to murder Him.  Jesus had already said that thinking about murder is the same as doing it.

Father, keep me from ever acting like a Pharisee.  Guide me to be more interested in mercy than in judgment.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford