Matthew 12:3-8 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

In this setting, the religious leaders are accusing the disciples of Jesus for eating from the standing corn while they were with him on the Sabbath. With their accusation, Jesus clarifies the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The letter of the law states “Do not work on the Sabbath Day.” The spirit of the law would never condemn a man for being with God and eating from his good hand, even on the Sabbath Day. Jesus reminds them that he is greater than anything presented in the Law. Therefore he declares that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath and they should cease from accusing the guiltless who chose to be with him.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, if we are with you, then we are not against you. Let your grace be sufficient for me so that I am not looking to something higher than what you are. In your holy name I pray Amen.