45. The disciples pick wheat on the Sabbath: Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-38, Luke 6:1-5
According to Deuteronomy 23:25, people were allowed to pick grain from a neighbor's field, orchard, or vineyard as they passed by, but the Pharisees, with their legalistic rabbinic tradition, said that this was the same as reaping, threshing, winnowing, and preparing food which was all forbidden on the Sabbath. When Jesus' disciples picked grain, this led to their questioning, and Jesus took the Pharisees to the Word of God when "God's anointed" (David) and his men had eaten the loaves of bread in the Tabernacle. Jesus was saying He was God's new Anointed One and Lord of the Sabbath with authority over all matters related to the Law.
For his Jewish audience, Matthew quotes Hosea 6:6 again (Matthew 9:13). According to Warren Wiersbe:
The Sabbath law was given to Israel as a mark of her relationship to God (Exodus 20:9-11; 31:13-17; and Nehemiah 9:12-15). But it was also an act of mercy for both man and beast, to give them needed rest each week. Any religious law that is contrary to mercy and the care of nature should be looked on with suspicion. (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Matthew 12:1)
Jesus was getting to the heart of the matter. It is not what we do on the outside that matters but on the inside.
46. Jesus heals a man's hand on the Sabbath: Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11
Healing on the Sabbath was only allowed if a person's life was in danger. If Jesus did it, the religious leaders could accuse Him. In the Mark account. Jesus looked at the Pharisees in anger (the only reference to Jesus' anger in the New Testament) because they would follow their law instead of exhibiting God's mercy toward the suffering. Mark also said that Jesus was "grieved at their hardness of heart." Again, it was all about "compassion rather than sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6), and the religious leaders did not get that. They had already accused Him of blasphemy when He healed the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8) and associated with sinners when He healed the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8) and associated with sinner when He ate with Matthew's friends (Matthew 9:11-12), but now He had gone too far by violating the Law of God. They responded to this by plotting to kill Him. The Pharisees and Herodians were united because His authority overwhelmed their authority.
This is the first time the Herodians are mentioned in our narrative.
HERODIANS -- a Jewish political party who sympathized with (Mark 3:6; 12:13; Matt, 22:16; Luke 20:20) the Herodian rulers in their general policy of government, and in the social customs which they introduced from Rome. They were at one with the Sadducees in holding the duty of submission to Rome, and of supporting the Herods on the throne. (Comp. Mark 8:15; Matt. 16:6.) (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
47. Large Crowds Follow Jesus: Matthew 12:15-21, Mark 3:7-12
We see how amid opposition and unbelief; Jesus withdrew with His disciples, but the crowds followed. The "great multitudes" included people from distant as well as nearby regions. The fact that He wanted a boat ready to escape is only reported in Mark. In this time, He delivered others of evil spirits who knew who He was. He did not want others to tell because the time had not yet come for more opposition. He had more to teach His disciples and the people that followed Him.
Matthew says this withdrawal fulfills Isaiah 42:1-4. Some commentators believe the enemies were "bruised reeds" and "dimly burning wicks," and He would not wrangle with them. Others see the reeds and wicks as the people the loving King would compassionately and lovingly serve. Note the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:18 and Isaiah 42:1.
APPLICATION
How can you practice mercy rather than ritual this week?
PRAYER
Pray responsively to God as you pray Hosea 6:6
I had someone make a Pharisaical (marked by censorious self-righteousness) comment to me recently. It was a remark that I should chose the "spiritual" activity rather than the "pleasurable" one. I walked away thinking, "Why can't it be both at the same time?" I know there are pleasurable activities that are downright sinful, but this activity was not, but it derives me great pleasure. Could I not bring Him into this pleasurable activity (something I do as Paul said, "In Him I live and move and have my being")? I know and love this person, and I know they struggle with legalism. Sometimes I think I don't because I was not raised in a home where legalistic rules were culturally added to my faith. The person's comment did not make me mad but sad. I pray for freedom for her, and I will do my spiritual/pleasurable experience with gusto!
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