Matthew 12:9-14 – God desires mercy and not sacrifice

This is another account capturing the confrontation Jesus had with the Pharisees over the violation of the Sabbath. What we stated briefly in the earlier account, let’s expand it a little more here. The Sabbath is not just a part of the Ten Commandments but was also a day observed and blessed by God at creation. The Sabbath was central to the Jewish life, so proper observance was critical. For a long time, the keeping of the Sabbath had been the thing that differentiated the Jews from the rest of the Gentiles. It was a distinguishing mark that pointed to their faith in Jehovah, the One God. It was treated with seriousness, and devout Jews, during times of duress, would rather die than violate the Sabbath. Even slaves must be given their needful rest on Sabbath. It was to be a day of joy and not a day of burden. Fasting was forbidden on the Sabbath, instead it was to be a day of celebration with eating and drinking.

In this account the Pharisees actually scheme to trap Jesus on the issue of the Sabbath violation. In the earlier account, they confronted Him when they saw His disciples plucking grain and eating them on the Sabbath. Now they were trying to goad Jesus into healing a man with a withered hand so they could nail Him. So when they saw this man with a withered hand in the synagogue, they asked him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They questioned Jesus so that they might accuse Him. Jesus wisely answered them by posing them a scenario with a question. In essence, He asked them “Wouldn’t anyone rescue his sheep which had fallen into a pit, even if it was on a Sabbath?”  The indication is this: if a sheep, less valuable than a man, would be rescued on the Sabbath, why shouldn’t a man with a withered hand be healed on the Sabbath?  As far as the Lord of the Sabbath is concerned, healing the man was more needful than strict observation of the Sabbath. Immediately, He commanded the man to stretch forth his withered hand. He did so, and it was instantly restored and became normal just like the other hand. His act infuriated those Pharisees that they departed from the synagogue, and conspired with each other against Him, seeking a way to destroy Him.  

We see that the issue here again is not about breaking the Sabbath. It is about living in right priority. Mercy and compassion is certainly more to be desired that strict observance of the Sabbath when someone is hurting. This is what the Lord of the Sabbath would do, and so must we. Let’s live for the big issues of life and not nitpick at the petty demands, and take the joy out of living!