And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that Jesus went through the corn fields; and His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, "Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?" Or, as Matthew wrote, "Behold, Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day." (Luke 6:1-3; Matthew 12:1-2)
And Jesus answering them said, "Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him, how he went into [entered into] the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, [which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him but only for the priests?] and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?" (Matthew 12:3-4; Luke 6:4)
"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? But I say unto you, that in this place is One greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this means, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice" you would not have condemned the guiltless, for the Son of man is Lord -- even on the sabbath day." (Matthew 12:5-8)
And again from Luke's account -- Jesus said unto them, "That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." (Luke 6:5)
Think about this for a moment. While a minority in terms of holding positions as priests, their collective presence of the Pharisees was perceived to heavily influence the decision making of the Sanhedrin, in comparison to the rival Sadducees. Still, these Pharisees professed to accept the old testament writings as the inspired word of God, although the new testament offers examples whereby the Pharisees gave equal authority to the traditions of men, claiming that these traditions date back to the time of Moses. In this context, note that the Pharisees often garnered the support of the people.
And here they were, quoting the law, in order to refute what Jesus and His disciples were doing on the sabbath day. Herein, the Pharisees were quoting the letter of the law, inherently justifying themselves and their right to condemn those who did not adhere to their interpretation of God's commandments -- what is lawful and what is not lawful -- even while the Lord God Himself stood before them.
But what did the Lord say? "But I say unto you, that in this place is One greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this means, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice" you would not have condemned the guiltless, for the Son of man is Lord -- even on the sabbath day."
Remember, God had declared "peace and good will" to all in this current dispensation of grace, and here he is extending to us mercy as well.. His mercy. His love. Not sacrifices that are burdensome and ultimately lead to condemning the guiltless but freedom and life everlasting in Jesus. This is why we glory in "our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world ... for in Christ Jesus neither circumcisions availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature, and as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:14-16)
But I digress. Note what follows next in the scriptures.
"And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that He entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. and the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, whether He would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand forth in the midst." And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, "I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?" And looking round about upon them all, He said unto the man, "Stretch forth thy hand." And he did so and his hand was restored whole as the other." (Luke 6:6-10)
How did the scribes and Pharisees respond? Certainly, it was not to believe in the miracle that they just saw performed before them. Nor to be grateful for the man who was just healed. Instead, these collectively held a council against Jesus, having a discussion about how they might destroy Him.
"And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." (Luke 6:11)
"And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." (Luke 6:11)
Note that we hear these same accusations against Jesus today. And as a consequence, how often are we condemned -- not necessarily because of what we do or say, but rather because Jesus lives within us. Because we -- by faith -- trust in the name of Jesus which saves people from their sins. And, that as a consequence of abiding in Him, our eyes are not of the earthly, but of the heavenly.
Similarly, there are those (like the Pharisees) who want to condemn, judging others as if they themselves were never once a sinner, even when the price for our sin was paid for in full by the blood shed on the cross by our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And herein is the problem.
Rather than believing we are saved by His grace and mercy, and that not of ourselves, we want to entangle ourselves in the religious cultural bondage that the Pharisees promoted.
To this end, Apostle Paul wrote, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law? Or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you in the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1-5)
In other words, no man (including the Pharisees) is justified by the law in the sight of God, it being evident for -- "The just shall live by faith, and the law is not of faith; but the man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:6-14)
The promise was made to Abraham and his seed, which is Christ.
"And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot dis-annul, that it should make the promise of none effect, for if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and ordained by the angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:16-29)
Sadly, even though the Lord God Himself stood in front of the Pharisees performing miracles and healings and casting out the demons that vexed people, the Pharisees (who claimed to know the old covenant scriptures) would not believe that He was indeed the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham. Rather, these justified themselves by a law that would never set them free, thus making Christ of no effect to them. (Galatians 5:2)
"For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.." (Galatians 5:2-4)
Moreover, "as many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ -- for neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh." (Galatians 6:12-13)
But as Paul wrote, God forbid that we that have taken hold of the truth in Jesus Christ our Lord be entangled once again in the bondage from which we have been rescued, including the entanglements of a modern day religious culture that imposes unrealistic expectations upon the fold.
Rather, let's rejoice through the Spirit -- those who believe in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ by faith, and are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith. This is why we "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
Take hold of His truth today. If you haven't already, ask Jesus to be Lord in your life. Start reading and studying your new testament for therein you will find life in abundance. Stand in the offering plate.
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