10/12/2020

Mat 12 v 1-21; Acts 17 v 1-15; Ps 27 v 1-14; Ex 10 v 1-12 v 51
Lord of the Sabbath

“I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice…” (Mat 12 v 7)

Once again the religious visage was upheld by the Pharisees, who refused to acknowledge the Lord Jesus, while they continued to look for reasons to have Him killed, using the healing of the man’s hand on the Sabbath as an excuse to accuse Him of breaking the law.

The Jews would continue to stir up those who accepted the word of the Lord that Paul and Silas preached on the Sabbath. Christ, Jesus who had suffered under men and died, but rose again. They were accused of proclaiming another King, Jesus.

Was there really a difference between Jesus’ healing of a man’s hand on the Sabbath or the apostles preaching on the Sabbath? It seemed that those who were offended by what they proclaimed, simply looked for reasons to have Jesus and His disciples silenced.

Religion offers a comfortable lifestyle, whereby you simply need to adhere to the set of rules of the institution in order to be accepted, regardless of the state of your heart. These rules are more often than not, adjusted according to the needs of the ones who manage those who are under their influence.

Jesus fulfilled the whole law, not just parts of it, yet we pick and choose that which suits (and pleases) us. He therefore also fulfilled the Sabbath and through that have become our rest. No longer are we required to follow instructions from men, through what Jesus has done on the cross.

Only He can offer us the true peace and sabbath’s rest for our souls. No longer are we required to sacrifice, for He has become the ultimate sacrifice. May the Lord and Saviour become your rest today, in this muddled up world where there is no rest for the natural man.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“