Matthew 12:1-21

Matthew 12:1-21

GOD’s Chosen Servant is
The LORD of the Sabbath

In today’s lesson we see Jesus explaining how it is not the Sabbath we should worship, but rather, the ONE who is the Lord of the Sabbath

1. Jewish Religious Leaders Did Not Like Jesus, Because He Went Against Them

1. The scribes took issue with His claim to forgive sins - Matthew 12:10

2. The scribes and Pharisees took issue with His dining with sinners - Mark 2:16

2. One issue in particular produced a strong reaction: the Sabbath and its observance...

1. At first, it involved Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1

2. Later, Jesus would be criticized for healing on the Sabbath - Mark 3:1-2

3. On the occasion involving Jesus' disciples plucking grain...

1. The Pharisees said it was unlawful - Matthew 12:2

2. Actually, it was contrary to rabbinical tradition, but not the Law per se

4. In answering the Pharisees, Jesus stated two notable things...

1. "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:27

2. "Therefore the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath." - Matthew 12:8

[These statements will serve as the basis for this study, beginning with the idea that...]

1. THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN

1. THE INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATH...

1. The Sabbath was first commanded to Israel in the Wilderness - Exodus 16:23-30

2. It had previously been unknown to them -  Nehemiah 9:14

3. It was then codified in the Ten Commandments - Exodus 20:8-10

4. As part of the Covenant not given to the patriarchs, but to Israel - Deuteronomy 5:2-3

2. -- The Sabbath was not commanded by God until the time of Moses THE BASIS OF THE SABBATH...

1. Based on the fact that God Himself rested on the Seventh Day - Exodus 20:11

2. Inserted as a prolepsis by Moses in his Genesis account -  Genesis 2:3

3. Given to Israel as a special sign between them and God - Exodus 31:13-17

4. Given to remind them of their slavery in Egypt - Deuteronomy 5:15

2. -- The Sabbath was given only to Israel as part of the Law of Moses
   [Man was made first, and existed before the Sabbath was ever instituted by Moses. Thus the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Next we notice the claim made by Jesus that. Matthew 12:8...THE SON OF MAN IS LORD OF THE SABBATH]

1. WITH AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET ITS USE...

1. As the Son of Man, Jesus was complete and perfect manhood

1. Since the Sabbath was made for man, the Son of Man was rightly the Lord of the Sabbath

2. He could decide what was permissible, or what was forbidden

2. As the Son of God, ever one with the Father, He had given the Sabbath in the first place! - John 1:1-2; 8:58; 10:30; 17:21

3. Jesus demonstrated His Lordship by the superiority of His reply to the Pharisees

1. Jesus first appealed to example of David and his men - Mark 2:25-26;. 1Samuel 21:1-6

2. Matthew adds the example of priests working in the temple on the Sabbath -  Matthew 12:5

3. Note that Jesus appealed to Scripture to make His point ("Have you never read...?")

4. And what was Jesus' point? Consider the following:

1. "A higher law, where it conflicts with a lower one, suspends or limits the lower one at the point of conflict. Thus the higher laws of worship in the temple suspended the lower law of Sabbath observance, and thus also the higher law of mercy suspended the lower law as to the showbread when David took it and mercifully gave it to his hungry followers, and when God in mercy permitted this to be done." - 1Samuel 21:1-6

2. "And thus, had they done what was otherwise unlawful, the disciples would have been justified in eating by the higher law of Christ's service. And thus also would Christ have been justified in permitting them to eat by the law of mercy, which was superior to that which rendered the seventh day to God as a sacrifice." 

5. Thus by using Scripture Jesus effectively silenced their objection based on tradition!

2. -- As Lord of the Sabbath, He had sovereign authority to interpret its use WITH AUTHORITY TO RESCIND ITS USE...

1. If He so willed, Jesus could discontinue the Sabbath requirement -  Hebrew 1:3 ("upholding all things by the word of His power")

2. In fact, Jesus has brought the Law (of which the Sabbath was part) to an end!

1. Through His death on the cross - Ephesians 2:14-16

2. Having nailed it to the cross - Colossians 2:14

3. Jews who come to Christ die to the Law - Romans 7:4-7

4. The Old Covenant has been replaced by the New Covenant - 2Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 8:6-13

3. That Jesus ended the Sabbath requirement is evident

1. "So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding... sabbaths" - Colossians 2:16

2. "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." - Romans 14:5

3. Thus Christians assemble on the first day of the week to worship - Acts 20:7; 1Co 16:1-2

While we appreciate the role of the Sabbath in Israel's history, let us be sure that it is the Lord of the Sabbath that we worship, and not the Sabbath itself...

3. Matthew 12:14-21 GOD’s Chosen Servant

1. The conduct of our Lord on this occasion was a fulfillment of a prediction by Isaiah.

1. Jesus is referred to as the “servant “ of Jehovah (GOD).

2. Jesus was chosen for GOD’s work.

3. Jesus is beloved by the Father.

4. GOD put His Spirit upon Jesus.

5. Jesus shall not strive.

6. In Jesus name the Gentiles will have faith

2. The personal characteristics of THIS “Servant of God.”

1. His mission.

2. The manner in which he would accomplish it.

3. The guarantee that in this mission he would succeed.

4. The person here referred to.

5. The description here is given of him.

6. The commission was given to him. Lessons:

1. If Christ needed the Spirit of the Lord upon Him, how much more do we?

2. If Christ does not manifest ostentation, why should we:

3. If Christ, who is all purity, could be gentle with the erring, why should not we?

7. His Divine appointment.

8. His special endowment.

9. His expansive work.

10. The love of the father. 

1. The mission of the Son had its origin in the Father’s love for us all (1Jn 4:9-10; John 3:16).

11. The condescension of the Son. Became a servant.

12. The cooperation of the holy spirit.

3. It was by the Holy Spirit that the SON was qualified for the accomplishment of the work HE had undertaken (John 1:16; John 3:34)

1. It is by the Holy Spirit that the work of Christ is now carried on in the hearts of men (John16:7-8).

2. The progress of Christianity shall continue until the principles of Christ’s kingdom pervade the entire globe.