ESOCS Devotional 2 February 2023
TEXT: MATTHEW 12:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: “For the son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.” Matthew 12:8
The creator is always greater than his creation. Jesus is greater than the law, and above it. He made it and gave it; thus, He has the authority to overrule every tradition and regulation. He alone can give interpretation to His laws. This the Pharisees did not understand; or did but refused to acknowledge the truth.
The Pharisees had established about 39 categories of actions forbidden on the Sabbath, based on interpretations of God’s law and on Jewish custom. Harvesting was one of the actions. They accused Jesus and His disciples of working on a Sabbath day which was prohibited by the Sinai law (Exodus 20:8-11). Picking corn/wheat and rubbing it on their hands, technically amounted to harvesting, according to the Pharisees. But Jesus and His disciples were picking grains because they were hungry and not for sales. God does not delight Himself in traditions, regulations and rituals but that man should obey Him (1 Samuel 15:22, 23; Psalm 40:6-8; Jeremiah 7:21-23 and Hosea 6:6).
The lessons from our text are: our attitude towards God comes first. Jesus did not come to condone disobedience to God’s laws; instead, He was emphasizing discernment and compassion in enforcing them. Jesus also emphasized the intent of the law and the meaning behind it. But the Pharisees had lost the spirit of the law, the interpretations and the meanings.
Today, many organizations work on Sundays. What about that? Will God condemn them? Jesus is greater than, and above the law. We perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
- Does your Sunday service debar your members from their other activities?
- Church Leaders, Teachers and Preachers should ask for the spirit of interpretation.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 15:22, 23; Psalm 40:6-8; Isaiah 1:1-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Mark 2:27, 28.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 2 February 2023
