In Matthew 12:1-14 the Pharisees try to trip Jesus up for his so-called Sabbath violations. In his response, Jesus exposes – yet again – the Pharisees for the professional legalists and hypocrites they are. Here we have helpful insights into not only the perpetuity of the Sabbath institution, but also how it should be observed under the New Covenant. Without Christ and his gospel, Sabbath observance easily becomes one more rock in our ruck-sack of self-justification. However, when the already-and-not-yet riches of God’s grace and salvation are read into and form the basis for motivating obedience to the fourth command, then Sunday becomes a day of celebration and true spiritual rest. And this chiefly on the basis of God serving us with his heavenly gifts through the means of grace in corporate worship: the Word preached and the sacraments administered.
For more on this passage and how it draws us in as NT believers, you can listen to two sermons on the passage here.
2015-04-23