Matthew 12:1-14 (2)

To describe most of the people to whom Jesus spoke in His day as ‘Jews’ would sound odd to their ears. More likely they would identify themselves as people of the Law, Torah; or people whom God had chosen out of all other peoples. For those living in first-century Palestine, the Temple - though geographically far away - was the dominant symbol of their identity. The Temple was the place where God’s glory dwelt, where the Torah was observed and taught. The Temple was THE place of worship. Local synagogues were just that: local gatherings of people to whom the Torah and Temple were essential.

Torah commanded a weekly observance called ‘Sabbath.’ Though the practice of Sabbath rest is rooted in the creation account, the Sabbath practice is a linchpin of the Ten Commandments.

As Jesus and His followers were walking towards synagogue through a ripening grain field, His followers grabbed some grain, separated the head from the chaff and ate the grain.

Pharisees, representatives of the religious elite, the political and religious conservatives immediately accused Jesus followers of violating Sabbath (vs 2).

Arriving at the synagogue, Jesus noted a man with a ‘shriveled hand.’ This was a disability, but not a life-threatening one by any means. Jesus chose to heal, which pushes the Pharisees into direct quest to find a way of killing Jesus.

These two incidents and Jesus’ response to them call us to

Evaluate How We Read God’s Word

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees in the grain field are both drawn from the only Bible these people knew: the Old Testament.

David and his companions ate the bread of the Presence - the loaves set out every week before the presence of God. These loaves were restricted to the priests alone.

Yet the priest gave David and his men permission to eat the bread believing David’s claim that they were on a journey for the king. The truth was different: David and his companions were fleeing from Saul who had threatened to kill David.

There are all sorts of questions we could raise…is it ethical to lie in order to receive food? Was the priest obligated to provide for David - even if he had been on a secret mission for the king? Was it ever permissible for a layperson to eat the Bread of the Presence.

Jesus doesn’t just ignore those questions, He blasts right through them. He compares David’s eating of the bread to the biblical command for the priests to ‘work’ on Sabbath by offering sacrifice (see Numbers 28:9-10).

By calling attention to these two incidents - both well known, attested in God’s Word, Jesus highlights how one should read God’s Word.

-something greater than the Temple

In Jewish eyes the Temple there could be nothing greater than the Temple. The Temple in Jerusalem was THE PLACE of God’s permanent dwelling. There and there only was God to be worshiped according to His Word, the Torah.

Jesus, however, claims to be ‘greater than the temple.’ He makes this claim on the basis that He is God’s presence, that the Temple which was never designed to confine God, still cannot contain the presence of God.

Hosea 6:6 “For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

By quoting God’s Word Jesus demonstrates that the principles o the Law took precedence over the rituals prescribed by the Law,

By quoting from the Prophets Jesus has now referred to the Torah, History, i.e. the writings; and the Prophets.

By His words Jesus calls His followers to read God’s Word differently. Instead of looking at the surface Jesus invites us to dig more deeply into the heart of God.

What is the purpose of Sabbath observance? What is the purpose of the elaborate sacrificial system explained in the OT? What is the purpose of the complex commands God gave His people?

When we read the Bible - Old or New Testament - the real question is simply this: How does this section, this verse reveal more of who God is?

We can read the Bible out of duty - checking off the item on our to-do list. Or we can read God’s Word as He intends: an invitation to hear from Him, an invitation to discover His heart for your life and mine.

Re-evaluate the value of life

Perhaps the man had been placed prominently in the synagogue so that Jesus would notice him. Perhaps it was just the normal place for the man.

A withered hand would certainly be a noticeable disability. However, the withered hand was no medical emergency, requiring immediate intervention.

It was the Pharisees who directly asked Jesus: Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath - particularly one who is in no immediate danger?

Jesus’ reply asks his critics to ponder: which is of more value: a human life or the life on an animal?

Before we run away with Jesus; words: “it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath” we need to note that Jesus regularly observed Sabbath by following the Torah’s regulations regarding the Sabbath. This is not license to do whatever ‘feels’ good. Rather, it is a principle we need to integrate into our thinking: human life is of ultimate value in God’s eyes.

CONCLUSION

What does it mean to read the Bible for the heart and purpose of God? What does it really mean to value life?

In some ways, those are the same question. When Jesus was tempted by Satan at the beginning of His active teaching and preaching, Jesus quoted Scripture - just as the Devil did.

The first response of Jesus to the claim of Satan:

Matthew 4:4 HCSB

But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Jesus does not discount the need for bread. He does, however, elevate God’s Word as more significant for life than physical bread.

As Jesus’ disciples plucked heads of grain, as Jesus viewed a man with a shriveled hand, what went through the mind of the Pharisees was: How dare Jesus violate the Torah, the Word of God.

Jesus’ reply in both instances focuses on the intent of God’s Word: to give life, restore life, strengthen life as God intended life to be lived.

It is no accident that the first recorded temptation in God’s Word revolves around understanding God’s Word:

Genesis 3:1–5 HCSB

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

‘Did God actually say…?’ the devil asked?

Genesis 2:16 HCSB

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden,

That’s what God said - He provided everything Adam and Eve needed for life, for abundant life.

APPLICATION

How do you read God’s Word? Is it for duty or delight?

Duty is important. Don’t ignore our responsibility to obey God’s Word.

Yet, God gave His word so that as the psalmist writes

“Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight.” (Psalm 119:72–77, HCSB)