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Today's Quote
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Today's Verse
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Daily Wisdom
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When the Pharisees saw Jesus' disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath, they accused them of breaking the Sabbath law (Matt. 12:1-8). Jesus responded by reminding them that their hero David ate consecrated bread. He also noted that the priests themselves broke the Sabbath and were innocent. Jesus' reply was kindly given and might have won them over except for their own hardness of heart.
While the Pharisees outwardly observed the Sabbath laws they did not identify with them. Likewise, they were so concerned with the letter of the Law that they did not understand the real meaning of the Law nor see the embodiment of the Law -- Jesus, the Son of God. Though they seemed to be keepers of the Law of Moses, in reality they did not keep the Law. They tithed mint and dill and cummin, but neglected the weightier provisions of the Law -- justice and mercy and faithfulness (Matt. 23:23).
Tithing was important, but there were other things that were more important. Hungry men, doing the Lord's business, should have been able to take the edge off their hunger by eating a few heads of grain, even on the Sabbath. The Sabbath laws concerning rest were given to man so that he could have a day to recuperate and worship God. The Sabbath day was not to be violated to make more money or for personal gain. In that sense it was a sin to break the Sabbath laws.
When, however, there was a selfless and just deed to perform, the good work was weightier than the law of rest. Jesus was not only Lord of the Sabbath but he came to relieve us of law keeping and show us a better way. The way of grace should lead us to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees (Mat. 5:20), not by becoming more legalistic but by internalizing and living the law and love of God.
