Understand the Sabbath
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) Other principles of gathering and ministering together as believers exist but Matthew 12:1-21 deals specifically with the Sabbath. This is a subject where many opinions
have been held in the Church, and different views exist among Christians today. They cover the range from no commitment to unbearable rules. Jesus confronted misconceptions promoted by the religious leaders of His day. In this passage, He presented the true understanding. First, Jesus presented a compassionate view of Sabbath law—“Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (v. 2) No law prohibited what they were doing: labor on the Sabbath to gain profit was prohibited; satisfying personal hunger was permitted. Jesus responded with the intention of the law. The law was not to restrict everything: deeds of necessity were permitted (vv. 3-4); service to God was permitted (vv. 5-6); as were acts of mercy (vv. 7-8). Second, Jesus illustrated an appropriate value of man’s traditions—“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (v. 10) No law in the Old Testament prevented giving medicine, healing, or performing acts of mercy on the Sabbath. It is always lawful to do good and meet another person’s need! Third, Jesus provided an accurate vision of the Messiah—“The Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.” (v. 14) With the knowledge that they were plotting against Him, Jesus kept carrying out His mission: “He healed them all.” (v. 15) Never in the Old Testament was a time when any person demonstrated such healing power as did Jesus. Jesus powerfully displayed His deity: He demonstrated power over both the physical and spiritual realms, and also showed compassion for those affected by sin. Jesus didn’t come to gather the strong for a revolution, but to show mercy to the weak.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.