Matthew 12:1-14
Today's Passage: Matthew 12:1-14
As we begin our study of Matthew 12:1-14, let’s briefly pause and consider the irony of the hypocritical Pharisees of accusing Jesus of breaking the law that he created. This really sets the tone for the entire passage, and also for the relationship Jesus has with them throughout the gospels.
The Pharisees were trying to find anything they could to stop the growing ministry and influence of Jesus of Nazareth. They were accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law.
To set this in context (via the ESV Study Bible):
The Pharisees are misunderstanding how to apply the law, and they are also misunderstanding how to understand Jesus. Instead of admitting guilt for breaking the law, Jesus proclaims himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath.
This same argument is seen in an example in verses 9-14. The Pharisees try to trap and accuse Jesus in his words, and Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy: if a prized possession like a sheep was in danger on the Sabbath, none of them would let danger overcome them—rather they would do the “work” of saving their possession.
The danger of what the Pharisees did was that they were so focused on their own individual power and effort in keeping the law that they ignored the importance of loving their neighbor, and thereby, missed the heart of God in the law.
How are you prone to miss the heart of God’s Word in your life? If anything you “do” for God is not centered on love for God and neighbor, then you’re missing the mark. Don’t get caught in the trap of doing things “for the glory of God” when you’re really doing them “for the glory of self.”
Written By: Graham Withers
As we begin our study of Matthew 12:1-14, let’s briefly pause and consider the irony of the hypocritical Pharisees of accusing Jesus of breaking the law that he created. This really sets the tone for the entire passage, and also for the relationship Jesus has with them throughout the gospels.
The Pharisees were trying to find anything they could to stop the growing ministry and influence of Jesus of Nazareth. They were accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law.
To set this in context (via the ESV Study Bible):
- There was a provision in the Old Testament Law that allowed for travelers, the impoverished, etc. to eat of the grain on the outskirts of the fields.
- Jesus uses the example of how God did not reprimand David for eating the bread of the Presence while being pursued by Saul.
- To sum it up: “The law was intended to serve God’s people, rather than God’s people being intended to serve the law.”
The Pharisees are misunderstanding how to apply the law, and they are also misunderstanding how to understand Jesus. Instead of admitting guilt for breaking the law, Jesus proclaims himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath.
This same argument is seen in an example in verses 9-14. The Pharisees try to trap and accuse Jesus in his words, and Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy: if a prized possession like a sheep was in danger on the Sabbath, none of them would let danger overcome them—rather they would do the “work” of saving their possession.
The danger of what the Pharisees did was that they were so focused on their own individual power and effort in keeping the law that they ignored the importance of loving their neighbor, and thereby, missed the heart of God in the law.
How are you prone to miss the heart of God’s Word in your life? If anything you “do” for God is not centered on love for God and neighbor, then you’re missing the mark. Don’t get caught in the trap of doing things “for the glory of God” when you’re really doing them “for the glory of self.”
Written By: Graham Withers
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