Am I Majoring in the Minors? (Matthew 12, Mark 2-3, and Luke 6)
Do you get upset when people challenge your traditions? These Sabbath encounters reveal that valuing mercy over rules is central to following Jesus.
Matthew 12:1-21; Mark 2:23-3:12; Luke 6:1-11
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Have you ever paused and considered what annoys or upsets you the most?
Most Christians have two or three things that really get under their skin, and the religious leaders in Jesus’ day were no exception. One of their major concerns was Jesus’ activity on the Sabbath. Matthew 12:1-2 says, “At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘See, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’”
Jesus then points to the story of David entering the Tabernacle at Nob in 1 Samuel 21:1. Whether this date was on the Sabbath, we’re not certain. But Jesus’ point is that just as David and his companions ate the bread designated for priests, so Jesus’ disciples were permitted to go against the norms and eat when they were hungry. From there, Jesus says in verses 6-8, 6 “I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” As R.T. France states,
It is hard to overestimate the shock value of this pronouncement. The tabernacle set up under God’s directions in the wilderness, and the fixed temple which had succeeded it, were understood to be the focus of God’s relation with his people. The temple was more than a place of worship. It was a symbol of nationhood (and the more so since political power had been assumed by Rome). Its priestly establishment was the nearest thing Israel still possessed to a government of its own. To threaten the temple, as Jeremiah had discovered long ago, was to commit unpardonable treason.[1]
Jesus further reinforces this point in the next few verses by healing a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Again, the Pharisees were outraged, leaving the fifth-century church father, Cyril of Alexandria, to say, “For where nothing great or noble happens, the Pharisees remain quiet. But where they see certain people being healed, they are more offended than anyone else. In this way they are the enemies of humanity’s salvation and without understanding of the sacred writings.”[2]
They know their customs. They know Jesus is wrong. And they know they are right. Nothing Jesus can say will change their minds. Their view of God won’t allow for the possibility that Jesus was the Lord of the Sabbath and that love for people trumped certain cultural ideals.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Jesus, I praise you for your wisdom and compassion, as shown in your actions on the Sabbath. You reveal the importance of mercy over rigid adherence to tradition, reminding us that you value people above customs. Thank you for being a Lord who prioritizes love and healing.
Release | I release my tendency to judge others based on my interpretations of the law. I let go of any anger or annoyance I feel towards those who do not share my views, recognizing that such attitudes can hinder my ability to love as you command. Help me to release my need for control and embrace your grace.
Ask | I ask for discernment to understand the heart of your teachings and the courage to prioritize love and mercy over tradition. Give me the wisdom to perform theological triage, recognizing what truly matters in your kingdom. Holy Spirit, guide me to see others with compassion and to avoid the pitfalls of legalism.
Yield | I yield my understanding and will to you, acknowledging that your ways are higher than mine. I surrender my desire to categorize and control, choosing instead to trust in your perfect love and justice. May my life reflect your example of valuing people above all else.
