Matthew 12:1-8, #2

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Matthew 12:1-8, #2
The Pharisees have accused Jesus’ disciples of violating the Sabbath by gleaning grain as they passed through the fields. Jesus defends their actions by using two examples that show that not all work on the Sabbath was forbidden. As we will notice later in this text, even the Jews allowed for some work on the Sabbath, as in the case where one of their sheep fell into a ditch. But under what conditions could work be done on the Sabbath and not be violating the law against laboring?
The first example Jesus used was the incident in which David was fleeing from Saul at the direction of God. When he and his men arrived in Nob where the priests were, he asked for bread for his journey. Having nothing but the showbread, the priest offered this to David and David accepted it since it was a matter of survival and there was nothing else to eat.
The second example Jesus used was the simple fact that the priests worked every Sabbath and yet were guiltless. However, notice Jesus’ words in each of these examples. In the case of David, He said, “He did that which was not lawful.” In the case of the priests, He said, “The priests profane the Sabbath.” Now, the question is, were the priests actually profaning the Sabbath? Of course not. They were serving God on that day and there was no prohibition of such on the Sabbath. In fact, service to God on the Sabbath was the greatest way to keep the day. In the same way, David was also guiltless. Laws concerning worship and the keeping of the Sabbath were not intended to bring extreme hardships on man. As Jesus said in the parallel text of Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Here is where the quote from Hosea 6:6 applies: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus said that if they had understood this text “they would not have condemned the guiltless.” Compassion for man’s condition supercedes laws concerning worship. This was true when a Jew would pull a sheep out of the ditch on the Sabbath. It is true today when we come to the aid of a person gravely ill instead of attending morning worship. There is never a time when we can violate laws of morality. But the purpose of worship is to bring us to greater love for God and our fellowman. The laws of worship must at times be compromised in order to meet that goal.
Berry Kercheville