Owner of Sky and Sabbath

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 

 

The Pharisees overlook the heart of God for their rules and regulations. The biblical justification for their prohibitions didn't matter when they decided to use Scripture contrary to its purpose. Scripture, no matter how well referenced, was never intended to hurt other people. 

It can be somewhat fashionable to hang the long-dead Pharisees times over for their legalistic approach to God and Scripture, but can we not also be responsible for alienating and chastising those that fail to conform to our standards? Heaven forbid, someone with the wrong fashion sense walk into some of our churches Sunday morning. Then they might face our wrath.

In referencing David, Jesus shares a small bit of God's heart with us: it is for His people, His creation.

God's first law for humankind was that of love, joy, purpose and blessing (Gen. 1:28), nothing has changed. Jesus was concerned when David was hungry and no matter what we think, God understood Him breaking religion to feed himself and his mates.

Notice also, how the Pharisees had obviously not considered Christ as being worthy of honor. Old Testament law had essentially allowed the temple priest to break the Sabbath by sacrificing animals and doing other work that day(Numbers 28:9-10). They held up their religious leaders above God Himself, an accurate description of their hearts.

May God always hold the greatest place in our hearts and lives.
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