How Much Then Is A Man Better Than a Sheep? - Part 919

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto Jesus, "Behold, Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day." (Matthew 12:2)

But Jesus said unto them, "Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?" (Matthew 12:3; Luke 6:3-4)

But I say unto you, "That in this place is One greater than the temple."

How often do we go through life trying to resolve our issues, without consulting the one within our midst -- who IS greater than the temple? Indeed, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ keeps the earth turning repeatedly on its axle -- in perfect precision -- for both those who are good and those that are evil, and yet we can't bring ourselves to have faith such as a little child.

Furthermore, He feeds the birds day in and day out. The daisies awaken each spring without toil. The seasons come and the seasons go like clockwork. And as well, our human bodies come with a miraculous ability to heal. All of these signs and wonders, and more, are the handiwork of our Lord and Saviour. And yet, here we are -- like the Pharisees in the time that Jesus walked the earth -- trying to muddle our way through life without acknowledging that there is "One" that is greater than the temple. There is a God who loved us enough that He Himself would become flesh, shedding His holy blood for our transgressions.

But since the Pharisees did not recognize Him for who He was, Jesus continues ...

"But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." (Matthew 12:7-8) Luke records the same event this way: "And Jesus said unto them, "That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." (Luke 6:5)

Mark wrote even more: "And [Jesus] entered again into the synagogue ad there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched Him [Jesus] whether He would heal him on the sabbath day -- that they might accuse Him. And He said unto the man which had the withered hand -- "Stand forth." And He said unto them [the Pharisees] "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?" (Mark 3:1-5)

Note that they held their peace. And when Jesus looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He said unto the man, "Stretch forth thine hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored like the other. (Mark 3:1-5)

Matthew elaborated further on what happened in the temple. "And when He was departed thence, He went into their synagogue. And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?" that they might accuse Him. And Jesus said unto them, "What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?" How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."

Then saith Jesus to the man, "Stretch forth thine hand." And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other." (Matthew 12:2-13)

What an awesome Lord we serve. In fact, this is yet another example of how much the Lord loves us, and wants to bestow His goodness upon those who love Him, and seek His righteousness. Trust Jesus today -- and know that the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. Stand in the offering plate.