(CCS) Matthew 12

1. (V1-2) The Pharisees condemn the disciples of Jesus for supposedly harvesting grain on the Sabbath.

a) The disciples did nothing wrong

They were not stealing

The Mosaic Law permitted the Israelites to do what the disciples did, namely, pluck a few ears of grain and eat it as they passed through a field (Deut. 23:25).

Farmers were commanded to not completely harvest their crops to leave a little behind for the sake of travelers and the poor.

b) The problem was not what they did, but rather the day they did it on (Sabath)

When we were in Israel, I remember seeing some lawn chairs thrown around and my first thought was it’s not good look for business.

But as I thought more about it, I realized it was a Saturday which means it was the Sabbath.

1.1 (V3-8) Jesus defends His disciple

a. Have you not read what David did when he was hungry:

The first principle Jesus presented is simple and illustrated by David’s experience with the priests and the showbread (1 Samuel 21). Jesus reminded them that human need is more important than observing ceremonial rituals.

b. The priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless:

The second principle Jesus presented is also simple. The priests themselves break the Sabbath all the time. Perhaps the Pharisees didn’t understand as much about Sabbath observance as they thought they did.

c. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath:

The third principle was the most dramatic, based on who Jesus is. He is greater than the temple, even as much as they honored and valued the temple. Even more so, He is Lord even of the Sabbath.

2. (V9-14) Jesus heals the man with the withered hand on Sabath

a. The Pharisees ask a disingenuous question, so they might accuse Him

Their hearts are hardened and they are not seeking truth

b. Jesus will go after the one stray sheep

Reflecting upon my own life, thank God He didn’t leave me in a pit

c. Jesus restores the man’s withered hand

d. The Pharisees seek to destroy Jesus

They watch Jesus heal the man and instead of being excited, they seek to destroy Jesus

The Mishnah listed 39 categories of activity that qualified as work on the Sabbath.

"By plucking the corn they were guilty of reaping; by rubbing it in their hands they were guilty of threshing; by separating the grain and the chaff they were guilty of winnowing; and by the whole process they were guilty of preparing a meal on the Sabbath day, for everything which was to be eaten on the Sabbath had to be prepared the day before."3