FY 29
February 29
Matthew 12:1-8. Christ defends his disciples when falsely charged with the breach of the Sabbath.
The Pharisees were so much inflamed against Christ, that now that he was in Jerusalem they sought eagerly to find some accusation against him, or his disciples. They particularly watched them on the Sabbath day; and now they thought they had caught them in a fault, because they observed them plucking ears of corn, and rubbing them in their hands, (as Luke informs us,) and eating, as they passed through some fields on their way to the synagogue.
It was particularly mentioned in the law of Moses, that men might pluck either corn or grapes as they went through fields or vineyards, and eat them while they were passing along, though they might not carry any away. Surely the Pharisees could not really have thought it was wrong in the disciples to satisfy their hunger; but there is nothing so foolish that malice will not say against the object of its hatred . What trifling and absurd accusations have been brought at all times against the people of God! It is a great trial to the followers of Christ to know that they are the subjects of criticism, and the butt of slander. Some are deterred from professing to be religious, by the fear that their conduct will then be ridiculed, and that they shall be blamed even when innocent. But why should this prospect alarm them? The reproaches aimed at them are intended for their Master. Is it not an honor to share in His shame? O that our enemies could never find greater cause to blame us than the Pharisees had on this occasion to blame Christ's disciples! Then indeed would we shine forth as the sons of God, harmless and without rebuke. With what meekness the Lord Jesus defended his disciples! he returned no railing accusation, but he mildly argued with his enemies. His example ought to lead us, when unjustly attacked, neither to give an angry retort, nor to preserve a sullen silence, but to endeavor, in a gentle spirit, to convince our opponents by forcible arguments.
These were the arguments Jesus offered. He said, "Have you not read what David did?" (1 Sam. 21.) Have we not read what David did? He once was fleeing from Saul, and was overtaken with hunger at Nob, where the tabernacle was then placed. In the tabernacle there was a table, on which twelve loaves, called show-bread, were placed every Sabbath, and when removed, were eaten by the priests. Yet the priests gave David that holy bread, because they had no other to give him; and they were right in doing so; and even the Pharisees, when they had heard the history, had never blamed David for eating it. This was one of the Lord's arguments—if David might eat holy bread when he was hungry, might not the disciples pluck corn on a holy day, when they were hungry?
Another argument was this—the priests did much work on the Sabbath-day in the temple; they killed animals, and kindled fires, though the people in general were forbidden to do these works on the Sabbath-day; but the priests might do them when serving God in the temple. Jesus then declared himself to be greater than the temple; for not only God dwelt in his body as in a temple, but he was God —therefore his disciples might perform any works while waiting upon him. How this declaration must have exasperated and maddened the Pharisees! It teaches us, that on the Sabbath all works are lawful which are done in the service of Christ. We may use animals in his service, and to advance his kingdom. We may collect money for holy uses, or bestow it. We may write upon holy subjects, or distribute holy books. All these acts are like the services of the priests in the temple; they are done in honor of One greater than the temple.
But Jesus added one argument more—he quoted a verse from the prophet Hosea, well known to the Pharisees in the letter, but not in the spirit —"I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." God gave the Sabbath as a mercy, and mercy must never be forgotten on that day, in order to pay sacrifice or outward service. The hungry must be fed and the sick nursed. God does not wish any creature to suffer on that day. Whatever is necessary for our health, or for the health of others, may be done on that day. Mark relates, that Jesus added, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." The Sabbath was given by God to man for the benefit of his soul and body. Of course the soul is to be the most considered, because it is of the most worth. If any way of spending the Sabbath does good to our bodies, but hurts our souls, it is a cruel and not a merciful way. On the Monday morning we ought to observe whether we are more inclined to pray than before, for thus we may discover whether we have spent the Sabbath as its Lord would desire.
"The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath-day." Jesus showed that he was Lord of the Sabbath, by afterwards changing the day from Saturday the seventh day, to Sunday the first day, because then he rose from the dead. We ought therefore upon that day to think much of our risen Lord. How many tears were dried, when angels first declared, "He is risen!" The joy then felt shall never pass away. Every returning Sabbath bids us rejoice again. It was on the Lord's day that the apostle John once heard a voice saying, "I am he who lives and was dead."