Matthew the apostle wrote, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?”, and in chapter twelve and verse five of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “the priest in the temple profane the sabbath” where we read:
Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days
the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
The verse reads, “Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days ...” Matthew began with the words, “or have you not read” which means “or had the Pharisees not distinguished between, recognized, known accurately or acknowledged” “in the law” which means “within the rule producing a state approved of God”, “how that on the sabbath days” or “because, since and on account of the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work ”. Matthew continued to share Jesus' questions to the Pharisees as He asked them if they “knew” the “law” of the “sabbath days”.
The verse goes on to say, “... the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?” Matthew continued with the words, “the priests” which means “the ones who offer sacrifices and in general are busied with sacred rites” “in the temple” or “within the sacred place” “profane” or “desecrate” “the sabbath” or “the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work”, “and are blameless” which means “and the priests are guiltless and innocent”? Matthew shared how Jesus continued to question the Pharisees concerning the “work” the “priests” did inside the “temple” on “sabbath days”, and yet they are “innocent” for doing so.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus masterfully gives this second example to the Pharisees concerning “working” on “sabbath days”. No work was to be done on the “sabbath”, and yet the “priests” of God were working. Thus, they technically violated God's law, and yet, God did not condemn them. God desires a loving relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and when they discover who He is, they will begin to understand how His “rules” are for protection and provision. Keeping in relationship with Him is of utmost importance, and those who are wise shall not be inspectors and investigators of “law violation”, but will align themselves in a relationship with Him that is filled with grace.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declared, “in this place is one greater than the temple”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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