Day #17: January 17, 2009 - Matthew 11:25-12:13

As Jesus and His disciples were going through the grainfields on the Sabbath, His disciples began to pick the wheat and eat the grain. The Pharisees immediately jumped on this “violation” of the Law (Ex. 20:8-11) and accused the disciples of working on the Sabbath. According to the Pharisees, plucking wheat from its stem is reaping, rubbing the wheat heads between one’s palms is threshing, and blowing away the chaff is winnowing!


Jesus, however, disputed the Pharisees’ claim, using three illustrations. First, he cited an event in the life of David. As he fled from Saul, David was given the consecrated bread which had been removed from the tabernacle (1 Sam. 21:1-6), and was normally reserved for the priests alone (Lev. 24:9). David believed that preserving his life was more important than observing a technicality. Second, the priests in the temple were involved in work on the Sabbath (Num. 28:9-10, 18-19), yet they were considered blameless. Third, Jesus argued that He Himself was greater than the temple, for He is Lord of the Sabbath, that is, He controls what can be done on it, and He did not condemn the disciples (the innocent) for their action.

The Pharisees were splitting hairs with their technicalities about reaping, threshing, and winnowing. They failed to understand compassion for people’s basic needs (in this case, the disciples’ hunger), but were intense in their concern for the sacrifices. Jesus reminded them of the words in Hosea 6:6, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, that is, inner spiritual vitality, not mere external formality.

The controversy was barely over when Jesus arrived in the synagogue. Since it was the Sabbath Day, one would expect Jesus to be in the synagogue. A man with a shriveled hand was there. Since the Pharisees were continually looking for some way to accuse Jesus, they may have even planted this man in the synagogue to create an incident. The Pharisees raised the question, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? Jesus answered their question, as He often did, with another question. If one’s sheep would fall into a pit on the Sabbath, would he not lift the sheep out of the pit, even though this might be construed as work? An act of mercy toward an animal was perfectly in order. Since people are much more valuable than animals, mercy should be extended toward them even on Sabbath Days. Jesus thus removed any possible objection to what He was going to do, for Scripture did not forbid it and His logic was flawless. His healing the man, however, did not prompt faith in the Pharisees for they went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read?)

The issue that stands out today, forefront and center is legalism. Dictionary.com says this about legalism; it is the strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit. The doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. The judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

Bottom line - legalism is a "religious" spirit or attitude. It's about putting policy or tradition or rules ahead of people. Lord, protect me from this. Protect our church and our people from this. Never let us forget that people matter to you more than rules and appearances and religiosity. Further, for me, this really speaks to the issue of authenticity. Lord, let here be no guile in my life. Lord, don't ever let me "act" the part of a pastor or servant of yours. Let every action of mine be genuine.

Lord, do this same thing in our kids and in Sharon and in the people of COV. Protect their hearts from this pretense, this half-hearted attempt to look the part of walking with you, but really only playing a game of charade.. Rid COV of any "religious" spirit. Protect our hearts and help us to do the same.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

PRAYER

Father, today I humbly ask that You would fill COV with genuine worshippers. All of us have learned to wear masks and put up false fronts and go through the motions or look the part of being a follower of Yours. Help us Lord to apply, practice 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God." 2 Corinthians 4:2 (MB)

Lord, help me to set the pace in this area. That's my heart. Whatever it takes, do a new and fresh work in my heart every morning. Don't let me live off the truth you gave me yesterday. Birth within me and your people a hunger and thirst to meet with you everyday, and when we do, speak to our hearts. Build a church at COV where every new person that steps foot on this campus is loved and cared for and reached out to.