Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

The sabbath or day of rest, was instituted at Creation by our God. He created in six days and rested on the seventh. It is this reasoning that is used to justify a day of rest in the Law (Ex.20:11) for God’s creatures. Unfortunately, such a precious gift from our Creator was taken and misused in such a way that it no longer served the needs of the people. Instead, it became a furious master enslaving those it was supposed to serve. Many rules and regulations were developed later to define what it meant to “work.” Jesus’ disciples were hungry and plucked some heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees protested that they were doing something unlawful on the sabbath. What did they do wrong? The Law made provision for the poor by requiring field owners not to harvest their fields all the way to the edge but to leave the edges for those in need (Lev.23:22). It allowed the hungry person to pluck grain and eat from his neighbor’s field (Deut.23:25). The hungry person was not allowed to steal, but to satisfy his hunger. It was not the picking of grain from your neighbor that was unlawful. But according to the Pharisees, it was the picking of grain itself that was unlawful because it was “work.”

Jesus cites two cases from the Old Testament to explain why what his disciples have done is acceptable. The first case is David and his men ate of the Bread of the Presence (1Sam.21). After David was anointed king, Saul persecuted him to try to kill him. While fleeing from Saul, David came to Ahimelec the priest and asked for food. Ahimelec offered the bread of the Presence that was meant as an offering to the Lord and to be eaten by the priests only in a holy place. An exception was made for David and his men because he was the anointed king of Israel and had kept himself from women (ceremonially clean). The second case Jesus cites is the priests themselves working in the temple on the sabbath day. The priests are an exception because they are called to work on the sabbath day with God’s approval. Jesus explicitly states: “something greater than the temple is here,” but he is implying much more: he is not only greater than David, but he is greater than the priesthood. He is in fact the Lord of the Sabbath.

In the days of Hosea (6:6) and Micah (6:6-8), the people of Israel were indicted by the prophets for performing flawless rituals with rotten hearts. God stated to the people that he was not interested in such performances by using the phrase “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” The Pharisees were guilty of the same sin and condemned quickly Jesus and his disciple’s actions. Mercy is readiness to help those who are in need. And Scripture makes compassion the force that moves the doing of mercy (Luke 10:30-37). Am I so wrapped up in the performance of rituals (i.e going to church, fasting, praying, etc) that I can’t see the need of my neighbor? Worse, am I so busy performing what I think is expected of me that I don’t have time to do mercy? Even worse, am I so comfortable in the performance of my duties that I refuse to be moved by compassion into doing mercy missing out on the presence of the Lord himself right before me? To follow Jesus is to submit to his Lordship my whole life by learning to prefer mercy over sacrifice.

Jesus, I surrender all my life to you. Help me see you as the Lord of my whole life. Rescue me from vain rituals and performances that leave compassion and mercy outside. Teach me to love mercy over sacrifice.

Joshua 20 The Cities of Refuge

The promised land would be characterized by justice. God Almighty, the God of justice, would ensure that his people living in the land he promised would be protected from the evils of the worldly justice that prevailed at the time. Ancient Near Eastern custom would allow people to take revenge for any wrongdoing against them or their family. Unfortunately, at times, vengeance could be exacted without any proof. On top of that, revenge at times spilled over to the whole family of the guilty party, taking innocent lives.

The cities of refuge were designed to counter the oppression of a worldly justice. If a person killed someone, they could run to the nearest city to take refuge from certain death in the hands of the relative seeking vengeance (the avenger of blood). The priest would set up a hearing to determine if it was murder or manslaughter. At least three witnesses were required to be able to find a person guilty of murder (premeditated killing). Capital punishment was the sentence for murder. If manslaughter (accidental death), then the person was required to live in the city of refuge until the death of the presiding priest. At that time, he would be set free.

Many argue that the cities of refuge were not a system of courts or prisons, but places of atonement. Though we can't deny that there is a little of everything, the cities of refuge were mainly a place to find protection from the world and cleansing for unintentional sin. I believe it is a type of Christ our Redeemer. Where can we find refuge for our souls from the ravages of sin? It is in Jesus! Where can we find cleansing for our sin that weighs us down? It is in the powerful blood of Jesus! Who can we run to in our hour of need? It is Jesus our Lord!

Then like today, our God established a system to benefit his people. It is his people's responsibility to take advantage of God's provision. Cities of refuge were available, but people had to run to it to enjoy its benefits. Today, Jesus is waiting with arms wide open to embrace those who run to him. He is the city that provides refuge. He is the sacrifice that cleanses all sin. He is the high priest who offers his life to confer freedom.

What am I waiting for? Why don't I run to the arms of the one who loves me and promises to protect me? Why do I take my chances hiding on my own, exposing my life to the avenger of blood, the accuser of my soul? Why do I continue to carry the weight of my guilt and shame when there is provision for cleansing and freedom? Run, my soul! Run to your refuge! Run, my soul! Run to his embrace! It is in Jesus where I find mercy and grace.

Father, help me to stop hiding on my own. Guide me to the arms of Jesus every time I sin. Thank you for your forgiveness. May your justice prevail forevermore! Amen.