Jesus Said,

the priests profane the Sabbath…Matthew 12:5

Jesus was constantly confronted by the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath. They thought Jesus and His disciples violated the Sabbath by plucking and eating heads of grain, Matthew 12:1-2. So, they confronted Jesus, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” Jesus disagreed.

In fact, Jesus cited David as an example of one who violated the law. When he convinced a priest to give him the showbread to feed himself and his men, verses 3 & 4. Then Jesus cites how the priests’ hardest day’s work is on the Sabbath. Asking the Pharisees, “Are the priests blameless?” Well, the obvious answer is yes. They were anointed to do the work of the Lord on the Sabbath. 

But then, Jesus says something remarkable, “Yet I say to you that in this place is One greater than the temple.” Verse 6. But Jesus had more to say, He quotes Hosea 6:6: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. Jesus claims that if they believed Hosea then they would not have condemned the guiltless, verse 7. But Jesus is not yet done teaching: For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. Verse 8.

Clearly, Jesus was not finished with the Pharisees. Verses 9 & 10: Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” that they might accuse Him.

Jesus does more than answer their question. He heals the man without even touching him. “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other, verse 13. So, the Pharisees plotted how they might kill Him. verse 14.

This type of hypocrisy exists today. People who insist others keep rules they themselves refuse to obey. Worse, rules they insist are from God. Worse, rules, if not obeyed, lead to destruction. 

Be like Jesus, verse 15: “But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. That is how God works. He confounds the blind with darkness. He heals all who come to Him. Actually, Jesus went to where they were and healed them there. 

Nothing has changed. Jesus still visits those who are dead in their sins giving them life through grace and by faith. Life in Christ is instant. Jesus gives life everlasting to those who believe; instantly. Salvation is not gradual. Salvation is not the end result of keeping the rules of those who cannot keep their own rules. Salvation is a gift. Spiritual maturity is gradual; not salvation. We should never confuse growing in Christ with being in Christ. For Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath!.