Matthew 12:1-14

Week 6 Memory Verse

 

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart

brings forth good things,

and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings

forth evil things. 

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak,

they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 

For by your words you will be justified,

and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

Matthew 12:35-37

 

 

READ MATTHEW 12:1-14!

 

Keep the Sabbath Day holy!  It's the fourth the commandment.  During Jesus' day, the Pharisees had added to the original laws of the holy day, creating a religious day (somewhat bypassing the HOLY part) by forcing their man made traditions onto the Jews.  The true character of the Sabbath Day had long been gone. 

 

From this passage we can know that Jesus allows all works of necessity and good to be done on the Sabbath.  He justified the Disciples for plucking ears of corn because they "were hungry" and in NEED of food.  I have heard people teach that it is against God's Word for men to work on the Sabbath.  Well, I believe this passage alone would contradict that teaching.  It is necessity for their family to have food, clothing, and shelter that their work provides.  Jesus also permitted a sick man to be healed on the Sabbath.  This man was in pain and suffering from a disease.  In this case, Jesus did not see that it was breaking a commandment, because as we know He knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21), to give relief and comfort to this man.  We should never rest from doing good.  People who teach that doing anything other than sitting home reading the Bible and praying on the Sabbath is a sin, apparently overlooked Jesus' teaching in this passage. : )  

 

I love that when Jesus was tempted or questioned He always answered with scripture or Biblical history.  When charged with breaking the law, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of how David and his men ate the showbread out of the tabernacle when they were hungry.  He reminded them of how the priests were required to labor on the Sabbath by preparing and sacrificing animal offerings.  Jesus reminded the Pharisees how any one of them would even help a sheep help out of a pit and not allow it to suffer and die on the Sabbath Day.

 

The most important thing we can learn from this passage is this principle.  No ordinance or law of God would require us to neglect charity, love, or doing good for others.  If it does, it is not just an ordinance of God, BUT A TRADITION OF MAN!  "I will have MERCY not sacrifice."  God’s great love and mercy is at the heart of the law.  It was given to benefit humanity.  What really matters to Jesus is not the strict observance of the law, but the needs and salvation of people.

 

The last thing I want to note, is the last verse.  Defeated and silenced by Jesus, the Pharisees "went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him."   

 

 

TIME OF REFLECTION:

Jesus uses Hosea 6:6, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" a few times while addressing the Pharisees.  Can you find any of those instances?  Write down the scripture reference(s) in your journal!

 

 

 



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