Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath [Matt 12a]

Matt 12:1-14

Key Verse 8

Introduction

In Ch 11 Jesus denounced the towns where Jesus performed many miracles. We explored the depth of the minds of those who rejected Jesus. In the depth of their heart sit a mind of pride and independence. They rejected Jesus and God the Father as their Lord. In this chapter begins an open challenge from the religious leaders. There are three challenges and each of these challenges is aimed to discredit Jesus as the Messiah. The first one is about the Sabbath. The second is if Jesus’ power is from God or not. Third one is if Jesus could demonstrate the power of God. Each of these challenges has its own weight and particular significance. We pray that God may give us in depth understanding of these challenges.

These challenges are from those who firmly believed that they knew God and His words. They were the most prideful men in this regard. Who are the critics of Jesus today? Most of people of this age are characterized by indifference. So in between the fierce critics and indifference lies wide spectrum of people’s reactions to the message of the Gospel of Jesus.

Sabbath is one particular day of a week. It is the seventh day. But we evangelical Christians observe Sunday as the Lord’s day instead of Sabbath. So there are three questions that we are to answer as we study today’s passage. 1. What is the essence of the Sabbath day? 2. What is the relationship between the Sabbath day and the Lord’s day in it meaning and purpose? 3. Why do we observe Sunday as the Lord’s day?

Throughout human history as least as we know, there was a day when man took rest from all works. As of today, some take it on Thursday or Saturday, we Christians take it on Sunday. One thing we all agree that this is the day off, to take rest. The concept of rest is deeply entrenched in this one day of week for all human race. The word Sabbath is very fitting to describe this day because, it meaning is ‘stop’ or ‘rest’. So dealing with Sabbath is dealing with the answers to the question on what this day truly is.

Jesus declared that he is the Lord of the Sabbath. Who is this Jesus? This question is important in the sense that we come to know the true essence of his being. But this may pose a profound significance if Jesus could meet the need that demand us, human being, have to take the day off.

It is revealed in God’s history. They are in the history of creation and in the history of salvation of his people.

God demanded them to keep the Sabbath in two ways; first because God created all things and rest on the seventh day. Because God created all things, god demanded man to keep the Sabbath. Second God rescued Israel from the slavery in order to make them His people. In this regard, God owned Israel and demanded them to keep the Sabbath. To do so God gave the law and the sacrificial system in the temple of God. So we can identify three elements through which God wanted to fulfill his hope for the people Israel. They are the law, sacrificial system and the locale of these two, the temple. Sabbath is at the center of all these three. It serves as the sign between God and Israel. So what they do or what they don’t do or failed to do on the Sabbath reflect their spiritual conditions. As time went on it was all too clear that Israel failed to keep the Sabbath, they had no rest at all.

Since Jesus is the Son of God, and God sent him for His purpose, what he would do must be in line with what God meant to do for his people, providing rest for his people. So Jesus called himself as the Lord of the Sabbath. Why and how can Jesus be the Lord of the Sabbath? I pray that God may reveal us the truth, Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath!

A. I desire mercy not sacrifice[1-7]

1. Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on Sabbath.[1-2]

One day Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples picking up heads of grain and ate them. So they came up to Jesus and asked why Jesus’ disciples did unlawful things on the Sabbath.

According to Deut picking up heads of grain by hands are permitted though the grain might be someone else’s. It was God’s provision to show that in the land of God’s promise they are living in God’s provision and God’s grace. But Pharisees pointed out that it was unlawful on the Sabbath. On the Sabbath they were not to do any work, whatsoever. God made this clear when God provided double portion of manna on the day before the Sabbath. Some went out to look for manna on the Sabbath but they could not find any. So even preparing food should not be done on the Sabbath! In this regard, the disciples who took the heads of grain, rubbed them and blew away the husks were working for food. So they were guilty of harvesting, threshing, and winnowing. As Jesus heard their accusation, Jesus did not deny that they did not work or they did not violate the Sabbath. But he said something that they never thought of.

2. King David was exempt from punishment though he ate the consecrated bread. [3-4]

David was anointed by Samuel when he was in his teens. King Saul in his jealousy tried to kill David. When David discovered this, he ran away with his men. When he and his men got to the Nob, a town where the tabernacle was, he and his men were so exhausted and asked the high priest for bread. There was no bread except the one just removed from the altar. Since the bread was just changed, most likely it happened on a Sabbath. Also this bread was allowed only to the priests. But noting the urgent demand of David, after confirming that David and his men were ceremonially clean, the high priest, Abimelech gave the bread and they ate. Afterward, David and his men were never charged on this violation. Why weren’t they punished for violating God’s law? We can reason in two ways. First one is in the fact that David and his men were in life threatening emergency. If they were not given bread, their lives might have been in danger since they were running for their lives. So, in such life threatening circumstances, such minor violation is allowed or justified to save human lives. This is very plausible reasoning. If this is so, then it opens a wide range of violation of the law of God that cannot be charged because they were in life threatening situation. Life justifies all kinds of ungodly activities. Such understanding is rooted in situational ethics. In the name of saving lives or in the name of love, many ungodly things are justified. Human life or human love becomes the utmost importance in deciding lives. As we know that one of the most prominent characteristic is humanism. In this humanism people demand unconditional mercy. Is this what Jesus promoting? Also Jesus’ disciples were not in any danger for their lives when they picked up grain heads. This reasoning cannot be applicable. The second one is in the fact that David was an anointed king at this time and his life was hung on God’s mercy. Certainly being a king does not justify encroaching upon the role of priest. When Uzziah went in the temple and offered a sacrifice, God struck him with leprosy. When Saul offered a sacrifice, he was rebuked harshly by Samuel. In other word, there was a clear separation of role between king and priest. King shall not do the work or role of priest. Yet King David was unique. He offered sacrifices when he was king[2 Sam 6:13-14]. David was figure of coming Messiah. His heart reflected the minds of coming Messiah. As we know Jesus is the king and the high priest[Heb 7-8]. So was king David in whom the role of king and priest appears together. Because it was David the anointed, David and his men were on the ordained mission of God the owner of the tabernacle. So they were allowed to eat the bread that was allowed only to the priest and were not charged.

3. The priests are exempt from the law of Sabbath [5]

Jesus gave the second example. There are many priests working on every Sabbath to offer sacrifices to the Lord. But to them, Sabbath rest from work does not apply because they were serving the one much greater than the Sabbath, i.e God or the temple. Under auspices of the king, king’s men are exempt from all the laws of king, the Law of Moses.

In these two examples, though there was a clear violation of the Law of Moses in ordinary sense. But they were not charged because they were under a particular authority, the authority of God of the tabernacle and the priest under the temple. Likewise, Jesus’ disciples were under particular authority, the authority of Jesus. Then what is the authority of Jesus that his disciples were exempt from the law of Moses?

4. I am the one that is greater than the temple[6]

⁶ I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.[v6]
Jesus put forth the reasoning. The one who is greater than the temple is present! Under him, the one greater than the temple, his disciples are exempt from such charges. They are like David’s men. They are like the priest working on Sabbath! They are innocent as long as they are working under Jesus, who is greater than the temple.

But this claim is an extraordinary one. Actually it is an awful statement. What is the temple? So when Jesus said he is greater than the temple, what does it mean? Who really is Jesus that he claims to be?

There is only one temple of God. It is in Jerusalem. The temple is the place where God is present. It is where all people of Israel present themselves to God, the meeting place between God and men. It is where sacrifices are made for the forgiveness of sins. It is where men is accepted and can join with God in his holiness.

How can Jesus measure up to the temple? Jesus is the one and only Son of God. He is Immanuel God. He is the essence of God being physically present with men. So he is better than the temple. Jesus offered himself as the sacrifice for sins of men. So he is greater than the temple. Through Jesus, we are accepted by God the father and we can join in His holiness! In addition, there is only one temple in one location where all these could take place. But Jesus is the Son of God. By faith Jesus can impart to any men and anywhere the same blessings that the temple could provide. So unquestionably Jesus is much greater than the temple! We just talked functional aspect. But simply Jesus is the Son of God and the temple is where on the name of God is. Jesus is the essence. The temple is just a representation. So if the priest were exempt from the law of Sabbath, so must Jesus’ disciples be exempted from the Law of Moses!

5. I desire mercy, not sacrifices[7]

⁷ If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.[v7 Hosea 6:6]
This verse is answering to the question, if God wants one thing from man, what is that one thing? Does he want sacrifice? Does he want mercy? Sacrifices are offered to God in the temple for various occasions. Sacrifices must reflect the heart of the person who offers sacrifices. It is an expression of submission to God the Father as a sinner. But when men’ mind became wayward they offered sacrifices as a formality for the sake of showing one’s goodness and righteousness. So the main theme of sacrifice changed from expression of one’s willing submission to a proof of righteousness and goodness. Simply speaking, many animal sacrifices were offered to prove his righteousness and goodness. But there was no heart of submission to God. Here we have to know the clear link between one’s mind toward God and one’s mind toward men. When one does not submit oneself to God, he has no understanding of God and his righteousness. Such man can never understand God’s heart. He has no understanding of God’s heart, that set up the way of Salvation in the law and through his son Jesus. He has no understand God’s mercy and he cannot show mercy for other fellow human beings.

God prefers mercy over sacrifices! Here ‘mercy’ may mean also grace or love. They are from the heart. Unless there is true reverence to God, there won’t be any love or mercy for other human being. Did God show them love in formality? History tells otherwise.

When God formed a nation Israel, he did it out of his mighty arms without any preconditions. It was his grace from the beginning of creating a new nation of God. When God gave the law, he meant to make Israel as his own though she was not outstanding in any measure of life. Simply it was God’s intent to make them no matter how weak and sinful and ungodly they were. Sacrificial system came along the side of the law. It was absolutely necessary because Israel will surely fail to keep the law and unless other provision is made, they had no chance to stay as God’s people. So this provision—sacrificial system is God’s grace from its inception. Not knowing these things, the religious leaders used the law to uphold their own goodness and righteousness. To uphold their righteousness, they put down everyone else but themselves. This was a gross defamation of God love and God’s truth. Such mind set sit on human pride in self sufficiency and autonomy. So these Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of violation of the Sabbath law. In such accusation sit human pride high above God’s grace and his provision for mercy.

At present age, we can hardly encounter such people like Pharisees. So it doesn’t seem to make any relevance to our day. But if we delve into the depth of problems of our society, we can find many parallels. There are many who bring their own justice to others. The most extreme example are suicide bombers. They believe that they can be proven righteous by killing other’s life. Or they want to testify to the world that they are righteous even by giving their own lives. This is to bring justice on their own hands. The milder one may be those who become upset and angry over other people on account of many trivial matters of life. One day our fellowship was to set up the church for the worship. But when I got there, there was no one. I was upset that no one showed up but me. It seemed that I was the most righteous and good one. Jesus said that Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. God knew from the beginning of the fall of men that we, as sinners, are helpless in our sinful nature. Only grace of God can rescues us from this predicament. Only by grace we have chance to see God and receive God’s mercy. Jesus, the Immanuel God, is the utmost expression of that love and compassion for men. To God we are to submit and obey by faith. To fellow human being, we are to show mercy and grace. Jesus the Immanuel God came did exactly these two things. The Sabbath is for men and it is the time of God’s mercy at its best.

B. Jesus the Lord of Sabbath [6,8]

Here is Jesus’ second claim; Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. We will explore this in two steps.

First we will seek what the Sabbath was to do for men when God set it up for the first time.

Second, what did Jesus do that eventually made him worthy as the Lord of the Sabbath?

The goal of the Sabbath was to provide men an access to God and to enjoin with God’s purpose and God’s will for the world. It was set up from the beginning of creation. Men were to work six days. But on the seventh day he must stop all his work on God’s creation and enjoin with God in his rest. By doing so, men acknowledge God as the Lord of all creation including himself. In the full recognition of God’s will for the world, men are to have God’s peace and rest. The world is God’s dominion and is in his hand, not on the hands of men though God entrusted the world in men’s care! In doing so, two things man does: Man honors God as the Lord of the universe which He created. He is the author and owner and Lord of what he created. Second he unloads all the burdens of work that he was doing, recognizing that ultimately it is on God’s hand. This is partaking in God’s rest through His holiness. This is creation order.

But the problem came when man fell into sin and he cut himself off from God. This created constant unrest. All things are on his shoulder; from his own living to the care of all creation. Being cut off from the creator created an utter stress for man. So Cain said, I will be driven from your presence and I will be a restless wanderer!

So God must add one more thing; deliverance of man from sin. So God made an order of Sabbath based on history. Here history means the history of salvation. Since God lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery they are to keep the Sabbath. [deut] The essence of history is how God worked to save his people. It is from the exodus to the entrance to the promise land and making her an independent nation of God. In view of this mighty work of God, Israel must keep the Sabbath. In this historical order for Sabbath is purely salvation in nature.

Third when God brought Israel out of Egypt, God gave them the law of Moses, which clearly indicates what it means to be God’s people. If they were able to keep the law blamelessly, this was good enough. But God gave something more along the side of the law, or within the law, that is , the sacrificial system. This is to bring about salvation of men from their sins. All these things converge on one thing, the Sabbath. So the Sabbath serves as the sign of being God’s people.

In summery , there are two things; the element of creation order, to honor God as the Lord of the heaven and earth, partaking in his rest[peace] and the element of historical order. The historical order is redemption or salvation in nature. These two things are to be remembered and reenacted through the observance of the Sabbath.

Here we must not fail to notice the fact that in both of these, God initiated first. He set up the Sabbath after he created all things and then rested from all his work. So is true. God rescued Israel first and then demanded them to keep the Sabbath. In all these God’s original purpose has not changed. Here we can see God’s unyielding desire and will to accomplish his original purpose. So God said that observing Sabbath is the lasting ordinance for His people. It must continue week after week and year after year until full consummation of the purpose of God. Also anyone who does not keep the Sabbath shall be cut off from his people. God said this in different form; the Sabbath serves as the sign of Israel being God’s people. Simple one does not observe the Sabbath is not God’s at all!

Now let’s get back to what it means that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. Simply we can take it mean that it is Jesus who set up all these things as he is one of the triune God. He is the authority over everything of the Sabbath.

But if we further explore what it means to us, we can deduce what it mean through what we have discussed about the Sabbath.

Jesus brings what God meant in creation order as well as the historical order. Jesus came to honor God as God, the creator and restore men to do so and find rest for men. Second Jesus brought redemption for sinful men so that he may have access to God and to partake in the rest and peace and will of God.

Since Jesus will accomplish all these, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. How can we put together of all these plan of God in and around the Sabbath, Jesus , the Lord of the Sabbath?

⁷ If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

God wants to impart his grace to men. It is grace to forgive all our sins and unload all the burdens of judgment. It is the grace to impart God’s peace.. It is grace to provide us true rest in God’s mighty power.

This grace is most profound in Jesus. His incarnation to be among man is grace. His life giving love for sinful men is grace. His unconditional invitation is grace. His redeeming sacrifice is grace. Jesus the utmost expression of God’s grace for all sinners!

What do all these mean to us today?

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. In and through him, we can have all that God meant to do on the Sabbath. We can partake in his holiness. We can find true rest from all worries and anxieties of life, we can taste the peace and joy that is yet to come in His kingdom. How and what we do on the Sabbath is a direct barometer of our relationship with God our Lord, the creator of Heaven and the earth. Also it is a direct measurement of what we are before God. Are we His or our own? It is revealed in what we do on the day of rest! Also practically our lives are restful one with peace and joy or not depends on what we decided to do on this day!

C. It is lawful to do good on Sabbath [9-13]

In the previous passage, the Pharisees condemned Jesus disciples for violating the Sabbath. Their focus was forbidding. In this passage, Jesus challenges them to do something good. The focus is doing good and serving people.

There was a man with shriveled hand. Again they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. So Jesus have him stand up among the crowd, and asked them directly, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

Healing is doing. It can be considered a work. But the work is not on or of the creation that God entrusted in man but on man whose Lord is God. Healing is to restore what is deranged by sins of man. It is to make him whole and well. This is the purpose of the Sabbath. So it is the will of God. Jesus came to do just like that, bringing back all the weary and burdened by sin to rest and peace in God.

As they were stubborn to accept Jesus’ truth, Jesus gave them an example.

¹¹ He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

No one will let the sheep die in a pit. So Jesus would not let a man suffer in a pit. The Sabbath is to do good and to serve people for their rest and peace. Once we find peace with him we can work to find peace for many others. God’s provision for peace and rest is never just for our personal indulgence. It is for the will of God and for the people of the world.

¹³ Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.[v13]

It was on a Sabbath. Jesus told the man with a shriveled hand, ‘stretch out your hand’. Then his hand was restored just as sound as the other. He was made whole. God made the Sabbath so that man in sin may be made whole in the eyes of God and man may participate in God’s peace and rest. This is the meaning and purpose of the Sabbath.

Here we can understand what we should focus! The focus of Sabbath day is doing something to do good for life. First I must do for my wellbeing, that is, to seek God in Jesus by all means. Second is to seek to save lives of other people. In this regard, worship on Sunday is so important. Here we must show our submission to our Lord in faith. Here we partake in God’s salvation. Not only we ourselves do, but also we must encourage all human being do so! Find rest in Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath!

Last thing that we have to think about is the relationship between the Sabbath and the Sunday. We Christians worship on Sunday, instead of on Sabbath day[ Saturday]. Is the Sunday the Sabbath day?

Jesus was in a tomb on the Sabbath day. He rose on Sunday morning. He appeared to two of his disciples on Sunday as they were heading to Emmaus. Jesus again appeared to 11 disciples on that Sunday evening. Exactly one week later on Sunday, Jesus appeared to his disciples for the sake of Thomas, who raised a serious doubt about Jesus’ resurrection. On the day when the Pentecost is being fulfilled, the Holy Spirit came down upon his disciples and for the first time they experienced the power of salvation. Jesus did not appear to the disciples at random in any days of the week. Jesus, by appearing repeatedly on Sunday, the first day of the week, made emphasis on the day. Jesus wanted us to remember this day more than any day of the week!

So this day became a new day, called the ‘Day of the Lord’. This became clear when many Gentiles came to join in believing community and the church is being separated from the Jewish. In Act 20:6-7 records that the believers got together to break the bread, celebration of Jesus suffering, death and resurrection the first day of the week, which is Sunday.

In Revelation 1:10, Christ appeared to John on the day of the Lord and revealed what was yet to come, the whole book of revelation. Here the Sunday is clearly labeled as the day of the Lord.

So the day of the Lord is Sunday and we celebrate all the blessing that Jesus gave us through his death and resurrection. So, all the meaning and purpose of God is transferred from the Sabbath day to Sunday. The essence of this day makes new creation and new beginning. So the key word is celebration. It is typified by grace and love that Jesus gave us. So we begin the week by joining God’s grace and this grace will continue throughout the week.

May God richly bless you in the Lord of rest!