God Is ... Through MatthewSample

God is . . . The Sabbath

At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:1-8 NIV

The Pharisees had created categories of actions that were forbidden on the Sabbath, based on their interpretations of God’s law and Jewish custom. Harvesting was one of those forbidden actions.

Jesus and the disciples were picking grain because they were hungry, not because they wanted to harvest the grain for a profit. They were not working on the Sabbath, but the Pharisees were too concerned about religious rituals and too determined to accuse Jesus of wrongdoing. They missed the whole purpose of the temple – to bring people closer to God. And because Jesus is even greater than the temple, He was much more capable of bringing people closer to God.

The Sabbath wasn’t about doing good works (or avoiding bad ones) as much as it was about relationship. In fact, Colossians 2:16-17 says that the Sabbath is now found in Jesus. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

What religious traditions or habits have you relied on instead of seeking a closer relationship with God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for seeking results over relationship with You and the other people I love. I want to know You better. I long to be a child who takes after Your own heart. Amen in Jesus’ name.