Today, we read about a Jesus going against legalistic misconceptions of the sabbath. We see Jesus' character of grace and love in how he deals with the Pharisees. He shows grace and love by giving an opportunity to learn, rather than just casting away.
The world is a crazy place right now. We’re ever reminded that this thing we’re in called life is not in our control. Praise King Jesus for the good blessings He’s provided you with. Whether it’s a warm cup of tea, a call from a dear friend, a beautiful sunrise, the breath in your lungs right now, or simply the clothes on your back. He is the provider, He’s sovereign, and He loves you. You’re enough. Praise King Jesus.
Matthew 12:1-14
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.” 3 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? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What is a pharisee?
+ The Pharisees would have been well versed in the OT examples Jesus references after their question to him in verse 2. What were the Pharisees failing to believe? (v7)
+ In verse 8, what does Jesus' actions on the sabbath teach us about the sabbath?
+ What does verse 9-13 continue to show us about Jesus' character? What do we see about his love? What about his grace?
+ What Is the state of the Pharisees' hearts in verse 14?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can you be intentional to follow the way of Jesus, and follow his examples of love and grace?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?