Knowing What's Important

Matthew 12:1-21

Snow! Just when everyone thought it was getting warmer again, it started to snow. It snowed quite a bit. For some reason I was happy that it snowed. I guess it's kind of grown on me now. Church went great even if it was really cold in our sanctuary. After service I took a huge nap (more like sleep lol) and attempted to study. Keyword: attempt.

Well school is about to start again. This week is going to be significantly tougher than the weeks before in terms of workload. And what's up with these people starting school tomorrow for the first time this semester? Geez. I know it's Cal State Fullerton and you guys think you guys are special, but it's like the end of January. Anyways have a good first day.

Lord Of The Sabbath
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2012:1-14;&version=31;

At this time of the Bible, Jesus has probably acquired a lot of fame. People all over the world are probably talking about Jesus and the miracles that He has performed. While He probably had a lot of followers, He probably produced just as many enemies. These enemies are probably out there nitpicking on every little detail trying to find a fault with Jesus. And this passage is one example of that.

The Day of Sabbath, or the holy day (aka Sunday), was observed by these Pharisees. They probably had a tradition of some sort that depicted what was in the law and made sure that everyone followed it. So when Jesus's disciples did something contrary to what they believed, they made a big deal out of it. Jesus's answer to this is one that basically states that such things are trivial in the grand scheme of things. Jesus is greater than the temples and whatever traditions and laws the Pharisees may follow. Jesus claims that He is the Son of God and the Lord of Sabbath.

When thinking about how this may relate to us, I think we can relate to it very well. What do we think of church? We make sure everything is under control, everyone is dressed, and things just look perfect. Now I'm not saying that any of this is bad. I think it's great. But when it becomes so important that we disregard the whole purpose of our being there, then it becomes a problem and we become no better than the Pharisees. The Pharisees did everything they were instructed to. But they were missing the point. Jesus is much greater than any of that. We need to keep that in mind.

When the man with the shriveled hand (don't know what exactly this is) asks if it is alright to heal on the day of Sabbath, Jesus answers that it is. We need to stop making such a big deal about what's right and what's wrong. They're important, yes, but not to the extent where we forget our purposes. In the end the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus.

God's Chosen Servant
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2012:15-21;&version=31;

This passage is rather simple and shows who Jesus is. God sent Jesus as His servant to bring justice to the nations. He was sent to heal the sick and give hope to the nations. He will lead justice to victory.

Summary:

Lord Of The Sabbath
1-2 Jesus and His disciples were in the grainfields on Sabbath and because they were hungry the disciples ate the grains. Pharisees called that it was unlawful.
3-8 Jesus replied that David and his men ate the consecrated bread, which is unlawful, and priests desecrate the day and yet are innocent. Jesus is greater than the temples and He told them they would not have condemned if they knew what mercy was.
9-14 In the synagogue a man with shriveled hands asked if it was lawful to heal on the day of Sabbath. Jesus replies that it is lawful to do good on the day of Sabbath. Jesus healed the man's hand. The Pharisees tried to plot on how to kill Jesus.

God's Chosen Servant
15-16 Jesus went away knowing about the plot and healed the sick. He told them not to say who He was. This was to fulfill a prophesy.
17 Jesus was a servant to bring justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out, but will lead justice to victory. The nations will have hope through Him.