Rejecting Legalism (11)

Introduction

Scripture Passage

Matthew 12:1-14

Introduction

Historically and today, there are two significant errors people make regarding the Christian faith. The first is liberalism, which functions as the "rule breaker." Those who lean into liberalism remove parts of the Bible that feel difficult, unpopular, or hard to live out. Liberalism subtracts from Scripture, attempting to make Christianity more palatable or livable by ignoring what is challenging.

On the other side is legalism, the "rule maker" approach. While liberalism subtracts, legalism adds to what Scripture says. Both of these approaches are equally problematic.

Imagine a hill. In the valley to the left is liberalism, and in the valley to the right is legalism. At the very top of the hill stands True Christianity, represented by a Cross.

Now, imagine two words written in the sky. Above the left side (liberalism), we write "Judgment." Above the right side (legalism), we write "Mercy."

For the Liberal: They must fully understand God as Judge. They need to realize He will judge the way they have "deleted" parts of His Word.

For the Legalist: They must fully understand God’s Mercy. They need to see that He is not as dogmatic and legalistic as they are, and that His Scripture is already sufficient in presenting His mercy without their additions.

At the Cross, we see both perfectly. We see God’s Judgment in Christ’s death as our sacrifice, and we see His Mercy in the fact that He would sacrifice His own Son.

Once we understand God as Judge, His mercy becomes more beautiful. Conversely, the more we understand the fullness of His mercy, the more we can reverently accept Him as our Judge.

Relevant Scriptures

Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV

2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 ESV

32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Revelation 22:18–19 ESV

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Psalm 119:89 ESV

89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Explore the Text 1

Scripture

Matthew 12:1–2 CSB

At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

Study

(v. 1) Confusing tradition for Scripture is not a new problem. The Pharisees of Jesus’s day made the same mistake. One example occurred as Jesus passed through the grainfields. Walking through fields was not unusual. Roads were not as well-defined as they are today. People often followed paths through local fields without harming the crops.

This incident occurred at that time, meaning after the preceding events. Some commentators reason that the time was in the spring, perhaps following the Passover. Regardless of the season, Jesus’s disciples were hungry. Following accepted custom, they started to pick and eat some heads of grain. Rather than a full meal, the handfuls of grain were more like a snack on a short journey.

This activity was not considered stealing. It was a common practice of compassion and hospitality (Deuteronomy 23:25 “25 If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.” ). While using a sickle to harvest another person’s field would be a crime, taking a few handfuls of grain was permitted. While trespassing or stealing weren’t issues, the fact that it was happening on the Sabbath would raise questions in the minds of some.

(v. 2) The Pharisees must have been following Jesus since they saw this and confronted Him. Later verses suggest the group was on the way to the synagogue. Instead of preparing their hearts for Sabbath services, though, the Pharisees were judgmental. Jesus knew what was happening, but the religious leaders felt the need to call special attention to the “problem.” To them, the disciples were participating in activity not lawful to do on the Sabbath.

Apparently, Jesus was not personally involved in taking or eating the grain. Still, the Pharisees attacked Him by condemning your disciples. They felt Jesus should have instructed them according to rabbinical traditions.

Instead of adhering to Scripture, the Pharisees tried to conform people’s activities to their own ideas of what was right and wrong. By “not lawful,” they did not mean it was breaking civil laws, but religious traditions. The fourth commandment set apart the seventh day for rest, worship, and remembrance (Ex. 20:8-10; Lev. 23:1-3; Deut. 5:12-14). By not working on the Sabbath, people honored God who rested from His creative work on the seventh day (Gen. 2:1-3). It also recalled how God brought His people out of bondage into a land of rest (Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:15).

Mosaic law forbade harvesting or reaping on the Sabbath (Ex. 34:21), but rabbinical traditions listed another thirty-nine prohibitions that served as a “hedge of protection.” These man-made religious rules were not part of God’s commands. Instead, they reflected human application of the law. Although the disciples only plucked a little grain by hand, the Pharisees viewed this as a kind of harvesting and, as such, was contrary to their understanding of the law.

The Pharisees’ real problem was a critical spirit. Their external adherence to traditions showed a lack of appreciation for God’s written Word and an ignorance regarding His walking Word (John 1:1). Their attitude revealed a harsh spirit that was contrary to the Scripture they supposedly were defending.

We should avoid judging others based on their adherence to a religious tradition or practice. Believers should be kindhearted toward others as we follow God’s Word. While we must not violate our own consciences, we have to acknowledge that God is the ultimate Judge of what honors Him. Our ideas about righteousness only matter if they align with His Word.

Discussion Questions

The Pharisees focused on the "problem" rather than the hunger of the disciples. What are some practical ways we can keep our eyes on people's needs rather than getting distracted by whether they are following our "unwritten rules"?

Application Point 1

We should avoid judging others based on their adherence to a religious tradition or practice.

Related Scripture

Romans 14:17–19 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Explore the Text 2

Scripture

Matthew 12:3–8 CSB

He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry: how he entered the house of God, and they ate the bread of the Presence—which is not lawful for him or for those with him to eat, but only for the priests? Or haven’t you read in the law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Study

(vv. 3-4) In answering the Pharisees’ attacks, Jesus relied on Scripture, reminding these Old Testament scholars about an incident from the life of David (1 Sam. 21:1-6). Before becoming king, David was hunted by a jealous Saul. On the run, David and his men had trouble finding food and, like Jesus’s disciples, were hungry. A short distance from Jerusalem, David came to Nob where the tabernacle was located.

At the house of God, David asked Ahimelech, the priest, for some bread. Only the bread of the Presence was available. This bread, set on a table in the Holy Place represented God’s presence among the twelve tribes of Israel. Only priests were allowed to eat it (Lev. 24:5–9), so it was not lawful for David and his followers to eat this bread. Yet they ate it without consequence.

(vv. 5-6) Jesus also reminded the Pharisees that the very law they were upholding allowed priests to violate the Sabbath. The wording includes the seventh day, as well as special Sabbath days observed during holy feasts. In their temple service, priests labored on these Sabbath days, but were not considered guilty.

Neither illustration specifically applied to the disciples’ situation, but Jesus was addressing a larger principle. The Pharisees had seen Jesus demonstrate His power. Now, He plainly told them something greater than the temple is here.

(v. 7) The Pharisees had condemned the disciples because, despite all their training, they did not comprehend the Scriptures. I desire mercy and not sacrifice comes from Hosea 6:6 and was not a repudiation of the sacrificial system. Jesus’s death on the cross was the culmination of sacrificial atonement for which the temple sacrifices were but a picture (Heb. 9). God considers mercy greater than sacrifices because mercy reflects His heart.

(v. 8) Jesus asserted that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus often referred to Himself by the messianic title “Son of Man.” As God the Son, He rules over all things, including the Sabbath. Mark’s Gospel helps by including Jesus’s saying, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). The disciples needed no excuse or forgiveness. Jesus declared them innocent (v. 7) because He best understood the Sabbath’s true purpose.

The Sabbath was a way for people to rest and worship God. But if our hearts are filled with His love, we will serve Him by serving others.

Discussion Question

The Pharisees were experts in the Law but missed the "Lord of the Sabbath" standing right in front of them. What is a practical way you ensure your study of Scripture leads you closer to the person of Jesus rather than just more knowledge of "the rules"?

Application Point 2

We should give greater attention to the condition of our heart than to adherence to man-made rules.

Related Scripture

Matthew 23:23–28 ESV

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Explore the Text 3

Scripture

Matthew 12:9–14 CSB

Moving on from there, he entered their synagogue. There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He replied to them, “Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might kill him.

Study

(v. 9) Moving on, Jesus concluded the discussion and headed to the synagogue. The pronoun their likely referred to the Pharisees. Jesus habitually attended Sabbath worship at whatever synagogue was nearby. He likely chose this place purposefully. He knew a need, an opportunity, and a challenge was ahead.

(v. 10) At the synagogue, Jesus saw a man who had a shriveled hand. The man’s condition was not an immediate emergency, but Jesus embraced this opportunity to show the mercy He had been teaching. Meanwhile, the Pharisees were seeking a reason to accuse him. The Greek wording can suggest civil matters, but here it was another reference to religious law. Some writers suspect the Pharisees made sure the man was present so they could trap Jesus.

The religious leaders asked Jesus a loaded question: Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? His earlier instructions about the Sabbath did not satisfy them. Like picking grain, they equated healing with work, which was prohibited on the Sabbath. If Jesus said, “Yes,” they could accuse Him of violating the law. If He said, “No,” they could question His teachings about mercy.

(v. 11) Jesus answered the question with a question. If one of their animals fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, would they take hold of it and lift it out? The implied answer was “yes,” so their silence was no surprise. He phrased the proposition in a way that proved they would violate their own Sabbath rules for livestock. The Pharisees wanted to put Jesus into a theological corner but found themselves trapped instead.

(v. 12) Jesus further revealed their hypocrisy by emphasizing that a person is worth far more than a sheep. So, if it was acceptable to rescue their animal, God would not be offended by helping another human being. When all is said and done, it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath. In his Gospel, Mark added that Jesus was angered by the Pharisees’ cold and manipulative hearts (Mark 3:5).

(v. 13) Having answered the question, Jesus commanded the man to stretch out your hand. The man may have felt uncomfortable being the center of attention, and obeying Jesus could have turned the Pharisees against Him. So, he had a choice to make.

He chose to be healed by Jesus. When the man stretched it out, his hand was restored. When Jesus heals, He does so absolutely.

Story about healing in Pakistan (if time)

(v. 14) The Pharisees responded with murderous intent after they went out of the synagogue. Instead of praising God, they plotted against Jesus. Some commentators interpret this to say they wanted to arrest Jesus. However, the term kill literally means “to destroy or ruin.” Their goal was no longer to embarrass Him or simply prove that He was wrong. He had threatened their authority and their way of life. As a result, they were convinced that He deserved to die.

We must seek to make our priorities and practices consistent with what God values most. The Lord’s love and mercy isn’t limited to days on a calender. Every moment is the right moment to be His hands and feet in the world. And if we truly love Him, we will desire to live accordingly.

Discussion Question

The man with the shriveled hand had to choose to "stretch out his hand" despite the tension in the room. Can you share a time in your life when you had to take a step of faith or do what was right, even though it went against the expectations of the people around you?

Application Point 3

We must seek to make our priorities and practices consistent with what God values most.

Related Scripture

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:12–14 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Conclusion

Application Points:

We should avoid judging others based on their adherence to a religious tradition or practice.

2. We should give greater attention to the condition of our heart than to adherence to man-made rules.

3. We must seek to make our priorities and practices consistent with what God values most.

Final Thoughts

If our focus, as Christians, is on Jesus, as it should be, and our relationship with Him, then we must reject liberalism and legalism. Both liberalism and legalism reject God’s truth. Liberalism believes that God’s truth is too much for humans to follow and legalism believes that God’s truth is not enough for humans to follow. Both reject both God and His word. We need to grow in our understanding of God’s role as the Judge and in our understanding of how great and wonderful His mercy is. When we understand the great judgment that Jesus took upon Himself because of His great mercy, and love, for us - we will grow in our relationship with Him and easily reject liberalism and legalism - as we should.

Video (4 minutes)