Sunday: Picking Grain — Matthew 12:1-2; Mark 2:23-24; Luke 6:1-2
The law allowed people travelling through an area to gather enough grain for a small meal (Deuteronomy 23:25), which is exactly what the disciples were doing. What, then, were the Pharisees complaining about? The Pharisees had established themselves as religious authorities, creating detailed laws about what could or could not be done on the Sabbath. “Rabbinical law” specified that plucking the heads of grain on the Sabbath was “harvesting” and it was forbidden on the Sabbath–even for personal use.
Monday: King David & the Shewbread — Matthew 12:3-6; Mark 2:25-26; Luke 6:3-4
In response to the Pharisees’ accusation, first Jesus reminded them of the biblical pattern: human need is more important than ceremonial ritual. He cited an example they knew well, that of David eating consecrated bread. Jesus’ point was that even though what David did was contrary to the Mosaic law, David wasn’t condemned for it. Then He reminded them that they were technically guilty of breaking the Sabbath because of all the work they did on the Sabbath day, but they were blameless because of the particular work they were doing.
Tuesday: Lord of the Sabbath — Matthew 12:7-8; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 6:5
On the surface, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about how the Sabbath should be observed. Jesus pointed out that the Sabbath was made for serving human needs and the disciples’ needs were being met by picking some grain, even though it was the Sabbath. But the main issue the Pharisees broached to Jesus wasn’t how Sabbath law should be observed, but who had the authority to interpret it. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were actually questioning His authority to give His disciples permission to pick grain on the Sabbath. Jesus’ explanation of truth—that He was Lord of the Sabbath—would have sounded blasphemous to them.
Wednesday: Is It Lawful? — Matthew 12:9-10; Mark 3:1-2; Luke 6:6-7
The Pharisees were specifically waiting to see if Jesus would break the Sabbath by healing a man. They had expected Him to heal the man because they fully realized that He had power from God. Jesus asked them if it was better to do good, but they remained quiet. They had knowledge of the power Jesus had, but their knowledge didn’t bring them any closer to truly understanding who Jesus was.
Thursday: The Value of a Man — Matthew 12:11-12; Mark 3:3-4; Luke 6:8-9
Jesus was angry that their hearts were so hardened that they couldn’t see the needs of humanity all around them: they were too focused on ensnaring Jesus because He dared to question their authority. This was a perfect opportunity for them to show compassion. Rather, they demonstrated their hypocrisy by showing greater concern for their traditions than for a man in need. Do our traditions ever conflict with the heart of God?
Friday: Healing on the Sabbath — Matthew 12:13; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10
It seems incredible to believe that religious leaders would be more concerned about what constitutes breaking the Sabbath than to acknowledge the greater good. The Pharisees refused to show concern, but Jesus had compassion on the man and healed Him. When Jesus commanded the man to stretch out his hand, the man must have been surprised, wondering how he could do that: his hand was withered! But in a simple faith response, the man made the effort and was healed.
Saturday: A “Religious” Response — Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6; Luke 6:11
When Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, He set in motion a plot against Him. Enemies make strange bedfellows. Although the Pharisees and Herodians had enmity against each other, they teamed up to deal with their mutual threat: Jesus.