Matthew 12:3-6………Working

Matthew 12:3-6………Working

He answered, “Haven’t you read (Expresses a snub; “Don’t you read your bible.) what David did when he and his companions were hungry? (David and his fighting men while fleeing Saul.) 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—(12 loaves of Holy Bread that was set before God in the Tabernacle.) which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day (By their cultic duties in slaughtering lamps for sacrificial offerings.) and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

Continued From Book

“Teaches if the Priest’s were allowed to break the Sabbath because of their duties and service in the temple, how much more the disciples in their service and work for Christ.” ⇒ By citing this example, Jesus shows the Pharisees how the scripture makes room for grace. God’s law is intended as a benefit, not a burden. Even though it is absolute, there is a hierarchy, and loving, caring, and having mercy for people will always come above mere compliance.

“Teaches how God allows concession where the heart falls short and greater need is at stake.” ⇒ Though scripture allows for concessions, that doesn’t mean we can excuse sin or justify sin. Jesus is not advocating lasciviousness. But He is suggesting that there is a element of legitimateness and common sense to be used. There’s a lot of things that the bible doesn’t specifically condemn. Does that mean its o.k.? Of course not! Jesus said anyone who looks at a women lustfully has committed adultery in his heart.-(Matt. 5:28 ) Even the Apostle Paul said “All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial.”(1-Cor. 10:23 ) There’s other things the bible permits that some people call sin. Some people believe it’s a sin to eat pork.-(Deut. 14:1-8) But we know from the New Testament God has declared all foods clean. -(Acts 10:15) We also know that we are Saved by grace through faith and are no longer bound by the regulations of the Law found in the Old Covenant.-(Rom. 6:14, 7:4-6, Co. 2:16-17, 1-Tim. 4:4-5)  Even though there are occasions where necessities outweigh the precepts of God’ law. God doesn’t like a divorce, but He allows divorce because He wants us to have peace. Sometimes we have to break the law to do the right thing. But we should never use our liberty as an excuse to sin.-(Rom. 6:15-23) There’s a big difference between liberty and license. Never think God will overlook some sin because were helping someone out. If you think there’s an exception to the rule, the chances are, you’ll abuse it by looking for a reason to sin and then try to justify it.

“This is not saying its alright to sin under some circumstances. But rather it’s a call on being less dogmatic and more flexible.” ⇒ ……….(To be Continued)

More Notes & Applications

Warns how just like the religious leaders we can be proficient with Scripture, and yet miss the heart of God and end up getting and sending the wrong message.

Jesus by asking the Pharisees “Haven’t you read”. Is like asking a bible scholar who as a doctorate degree “Haven’t your read the bible.” Jesus may not necessarily meant this to be dig on them. What He is trying to convey is, you read the bible, but you’ve not understood it.

Jesus’ use of David as an example is in reverence to when David was on the run from King Saul who was seeking to kill him; because God had made it clear that He was going to remove him from the throne and place righteous David on it instead. As David hurriedly ran for his life he didn’t have time to take food for himself or for the men who were with him. As they arrived in Nob, where the Tabernacle of the Lord was. They came to Abimelech, the priest, for assistance. They were starving. Abimelech had no ordinary bread to give them. All that was available was the “showbread”—the bread that was set out fresh each week as a part of the worship in the temple, in accordance with God’s command through Moses (Leviticus 24:5-9). It was commanded in the Scriptures that only the priests of the temple may eat it (Exodus 29:32-33; Leviticus 22:10-16). But when Ahimelech saw that David and his men were truly hungry; and that they were holy men, and not ceremonially unclean; and that fresh bread was about to take its place—mercy took precedence over the letter of the law, and he gave the bread to David and his men (1 Samuel 21:16).

Shewbread