[Matthew 12:1-2]

“At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”

[Genesis 2:2-3]

“And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.”

[Exodus 16:23]

“He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” – collecting and cooking manna, rest on the seventh day

[Exodus 20:8-11]

“remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy”

The heart of Sabbath was to actually REST and CONNECT with God

[Matthew 12: 3-5]

“3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.

 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?

THE SAVIOR IS GREATER THAN THE SABBATH

[Matthew 12:6-8]

6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! “But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ 8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

LOVE IS GREATER THAN RULES

[Matthew 12:9-14]

“9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.”

[Matthew 22:37-40]

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________