Slices
Prepare
Do you have a day of rest? Not necessarily a day of inactivity, but where you stop your usual work to give time to God? If not, why not – and is your answer to that a good reason, or an excuse?
Bible passage
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
12 At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some ears of corn and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’
3 He answered, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread – which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’
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 person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’
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. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God’s chosen servant
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.’
Explore
It is no coincidence that Matthew moves from Jesus talking about heavy burdens to an argument with the Pharisees about the Law. Obviously what Jesus meant in chapter 11, verse 30 and now here in verses 3–5 is that the Law is wrong and his followers can do whatever we like... right?
No. This is not about legal precedent but legitimate authority. In his hour of need David had the authority to disregard the Law regarding the consecrated bread. The need to maintain Temple worship gave priests authority to ‘break’ the Sabbath. Jesus is greater than either (v 6) so he has even more authority.
Keeping the Sabbath is not wrong. It is baked into creation. God himself rested on the seventh day. Its purpose is to give people a healthy break from working, a day to worship and refocus on God. It is supposed to point us to God, not to be a heavy burden, because serving God is not to be a heavy burden.
But see how the Pharisees respond to Jesus’ teaching and claims (v 14).
Respond
Reread verses 18–21. What stands out to you about who Jesus is? Offer that back to him in praise and thanksgiving. Can you use that insight to help you follow God’s pattern of a Sabbath rest, if you don’t already?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 1–3; 2 Corinthians 2
Pray for Scripture Union
‘I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name’ (Revelation 3:8). Please pray for God to encourage those in rural churches and to renew their strength even when there are setbacks.(This week's prayers relate to this article. )
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