I. ACCOUNT: JESUS IS LORD OVER SABBATH
A. ACTION OF JESUS & HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
The Tradition of the Sabbath
The Activity on the Sabbath
B. ACCUSATION AGAINST JESUS & HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 12:2 But the Pharisees, having seen this, said to Him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Condemnation of Disciples
Putting Human Tradition Above God’s Grace
II. ANNOUNCEMENT: JESUS IS LORD OVER SABBATH
A. AIM OF THE LAW
Law is to Show Sin and make it “exceedingly sinful”
Interjection of a Higher Law
B. APPROPRIATION OF THE LAW
It Cannot Affect Necessary Actions
Matthew 12:3-4 But He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry – how he entered the house of God and ate the loaves of the Presence, which was not lawful for him or for those who were with him to eat, but were only for the priests?
It Cannot Affect Spiritual Actions
Matthew 12:5-6 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath yet are guiltless? I tell you, One greater than the temple is here.
It Cannot Affect Merciful Actions
Matthew 12:7-8 And if you had known what ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ means, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
III. APPLICATION: JESUS IS LORD OVER SABBATH
A. ASKING
Matthew 12:9-10 And having left there, He entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on Sabbath days?” so that they might accuse Him.
Rising opposition against Jesus
Setting a Trap
B. APPRAISING
Matthew 12:11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath days.”
Man is Valuable to God!
Lawful to do Good!
C. ATTESTING
Matthew 12:13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.
Doing the Impossible
Doing What Is Lawful