Matthew 12:1-21, Sabbath Controversies

In Matthew 12 the resistance comes to a boil.  It starts with two Sabbath controversies.  You might think Jesus is just stirring up trouble, and that He was not being much of a peacemaker (Mt. 5:9).  That is not the case.  There are serious issues here that must be brought out into the open.  The confrontation of the Good Shepherd with the proud shepherds is not only inevitable; it is essential.

There are three levels involved in these controversies.  At the lowest level, the traditions of the Jews were simply wrong.  Denying Jesus’ disciples the freedom to feed themselves on the Sabbath denies the precedent found in the story of David and in the responsibilities of the priests.  To deny healing to a man on the Sabbath shows disregard for the man: of how much more value is a man than a sheep. 

On the next level we see that an important Biblical principle is at state in each event.  In the first the “shepherds of Israel” do not understand what is meant by the truth, I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Hos. 6:6).  Religious obligations (even sacrifices) tended to get in the way of checed, the Hebrew word for mercy or lovingkindness or goodness.  Mercy and truth/faithfulness characterized God, and He called His people to be just like Him (Prov. 3:3-4).

In the latter story the second-level principle was profoundly simple: it must be lawful to do good on the Sabbath.  If you could not do good on that most holy day then something was seriously wrong with your traditions and worship.

Over these important truths was the highest level of understanding: For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath!  What was Jesus doing here?  For one thing, if you go back to Matt. 5:19-20 you see that He was not breaking the commandments.  Rather He was stressing for the people as well as the leaders that righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. 

But beyond that, Jesus was doing what He always did.  He made Himself the “crux of the issue.”  Verses 15-21 bear this out.  Matthew quotes one of the great Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isa. 41:1-4) depicting the Servant Messiah as gentle and not quarrelsome.  Jesus spoke the words and moved on.  When He heard that the Pharisees were plotting to get Him He withdrew and continued His ministry elsewhere.

Jesus is the focus of faith.  Men must believe that He is the Son of Man, the Man from Heaven who is the Savior of the world.  The traditions of the Pharisees served only their own pride and position, turning people away from the Christ.  Jesus spoke the truth about Himself and then continued to confirm that truth through His miracles.

What Jesus did here is a ministry for us today.  We must come to terms with Jesus who speaks with such authority.  In addition, He has set a pattern for us to follow.  We too need to make Jesus the issue for those we serve.  And we must not be quarrelsome but speak with the authority of God’s word.