LORD OF THE SABBATH

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Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees in Matthew 12:2 why his disciples did what they considered as unlawful on a sabbath day. Remember his disciples were plucking corn on a Sabbath day because they were hungry.

(Matthew 12:2 KJV) But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

Our Lord Jesus responded to their question by showing that the principle of the action of his disciples was sanctioned in the Scriptures to which they implicitly appealed. 

He first called their attention to the prophet, David, whom they would not accuse of sacrilege and Sabbath-breaking because he acted in a case of urgent need; which shows that holy things are of secondary importance compared with the benefit of God's people. 

(Matthew 12:3-4 KJV) But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 

Thereafter he calls their attention to the Law, therein no one blamed the priests, despite working on Sabbath days, because they were serving in the Temple of God. This implies that the sabbath itself is of secondary importance compared with the work necessary for the Sanctuary (Temple). 

(Matthew 12:5 KJV) Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 

He then affirms that in the present case there is One present who is even greater than the temple.

(Matthew 12:6 KJV) But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 

The temple is greater than the sabbath; I am greater than the temple; these my disciples are therefore guiltless; for I, whom they are following, am greater than the sabbath and rule over it.

(Matthew 12:7-8 KJV) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

He also affirms in Mark 2:27-28 that the sabbath was made for man. and not man for the sabbath: so that the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath. Christ there implies that the sabbath is inferior to man because it exists for his sake and because it falls under the lordship referred to in Genesis 1:28.


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