Good Evening, Greetings… Series of “Lessons From Matthew.” Two weeks ago we looked at “Rest For Your Soul.” (SLIDE) Matthew 11:20-30 This week we are going to be looking at a very “abused text” wherein Jesus declares Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath Day.” Matthew 12:1-14 (SLIDE)

Many, even in the Lord’s church, have made this comment or similar comments. “Jesus, on one occasion, violated the O.T. Sabbath day law.” This is always in reference to our text today and its parallel accounts. This statement is extremely unfortunate and dangerous brothers and sisters. First, if Christ violated any part of the law he “transgressed the law” which means he sinned. 1 John 3:4 “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Second, if Christ sinned then He wasn’t the spotless sacrifice He had to be for our sins. 1 Peter 1:18 “but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” So in recognizing this let us now get into our text for this evening. (SLIDE) M A T T H E W 1 2 : 1 – 1 4

Jesus And His Disciples Attacked M A T T H E W 1 2 : 1 – 1 4

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’ ” Notice first off that Jesus isn’t directly accused. However, they are trying to condemn Him through His disciples. Secondly it is important to know that Jesus’ disciples here did not break the Sabbath law. Notice, the Hebrew law made provisions for those in need as they passed through a field of grain. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:1-2

“If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.” So the Pharisees could not be saying these men were “stealing” and thus violating the law. Notice this practice in action in the book of Ruth. (SLIDE) Deuteronomy 23:25

“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.” (SLIDE) Ruth 2:2-3

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’ ” So what law was broken? It was a law within their book of traditions. In fact the Jews had made up 39 different “alleged violations” that could happen on the Sabbath Day. One of these violations was “grinding.” This was the act of “commercially grinding” wheat into flour and so it appears the Pharisees were “stretching” this tradition to make these disciples guilty in their book. The truth was no law was broken and Jesus made this clear. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:1-2

“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” So how does Jesus go about showing this truth to these Pharisees? (SLIDE) Matthew 12:7

Jesus Shows How Illogical the Pharisees were Jesus does this in four different ways. First Jesus uses what is called “ad hominem.” This simply means to expose inconsistencies of ones adversary. (SLIDE) M A T T H E W 1 2 : 1 – 1 4

“He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?” The Pharisees never publicly condemned David for actually breaking the “law” (1 Samuel 21:6) and as such they were hopeless inconsistent (hypocritical) to censure Christ’s disciples. Keep in mind Christ’s disciple didn’t actually break any laws. So to being with Jesus points to the Pharisees illogical censuring. Second, Christ demonstrates that not all labor on the Sabbath is condemned. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:3-4

“Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?” Jesus is not here saying the priest violated any law but rather, under the traditions of the Jews, would have be continually profaning the Sabbath. The priest were authorized to do what they did on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:10). Jesus then makes an interesting statement to these Pharisees. (vs 6) “one greater than the temple is here.” Christ is most assuredly pointing to His authority. If the priests, whom Jesus appointed, could work on the Sabbath the Master could as well. Thirdly we see Jesus make an argument which justifies the disciples conduct and proves them as being righteous. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:5

“For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” As an agent in the creation of the universe (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2), certainly Jesus had the authority to regulate the use of the day of rest that followed the creation activity. Christ here is confirming that He had the authority to determine how the Sabbath would be used, because He possessed the very nature of God!!! Lastly Jesus points out the true purpose of the Sabbath Day. (SLIDE) Matthew 12:8

“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Finally, the Lord argued for the legitimacy of the disciples’ conduct on the ground of the purpose of the sabbath law. It was designed originally for the benefit of man. It was an act of “mercy” from God to grant the Hebrews a respite one day a week — to rest the body and refresh the soul with religious exercises. The sabbath law was never intended to be a slavish regulation that functioned as an “end” within itself. Had the Pharisees recognized this principle, they would never have condemned these “guiltless” disciples of the Savior (Mt. 12:7). Matthew 12:7

M A T T H E W 1 2 : 1 – 1 4

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7