Text: Matthew 12: 1-15
In this text, we read about Pharisees accusing Jesus Christ’s disciples of picking and eating grains on Sabbath and also accusing Jesus Christ Himself of healing on Sabbath (vv.1-13). At the time of Jesus Christ, there were three prominent parties of Judaism, Pharisees, Sadducees and Essences; of these, the Pharisees were the most influential and most strict. They were found all over Palestine and they would wear distinguished garbs for easy of identification.
There was nothing wrong with disciples gleaning grain from a neighbour’s garden in order to tame hunger (Deut. 23:25). The only wrong thing to do on the Sabbath, was to work for profit; Jesus Christ explained that, and we should all learn it. Namely that the Sabbath law does not prohibit works of necessity (vv.3-4), service to God (vv.5-6) and acts of mercy (vv. 7-8).
Healing was part of acts of mercy. It was a Jewish tradition not the Law of Moses that restricted giving of medicine on the Sabbath except where life was at risk; but there was no actual law stopping administration of medicine on the Sabbath.
Meditate on verse 9. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Loving Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that You enable me to be vigilant in attending Sunday services with other believers; not as a ritual; but as active confirmation of Your redeeming grace, given in the praise and thanksgiving. Amen.