Thank You, Father, for Your guidance and hedge of protection throughout this day. Through worship and fellowship with family, it always brings great peace and security knowing You are there. As I come before You now may I be attentive to Your word. Amen.
Matthew 12:1-8 (<<click the green)
Lord Jesus, as I read of Your disciples “breaking off some heads of grain and eating them” on the Sabbath – the day set aside for rest and worship, when no work was to be done (Exodus 20:8-11) – I am not surprised by the accusations brought against them by the Jewish religious leaders of Your day.
First of all, that definition of “work” was contrived by man, not commanded by You. Secondly, they were sticklers for abiding by the Law. We are to obey the law but where they erred was by sticking to the letter of the law, to literally the nth degree. “Rule upon rule, rule upon rule, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-13) is the law they abided – and fell – by.
But, Lord, You are a love stickler, not a legalistic law stickler. A quote from my sermon this morning, originally penned by Rev. Wes Humble, comes to mind, “When we are walking in obedience to God and loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength we will naturally love our neighbors as ourselves.” When we love You, Lord, with all that we are, the rest of the law will fall into place.
You also quote Hosea 6:6 in this passage which says,
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
My heart’s desire Lord, Jesus is to, first of all, love You with the entirety of my being – heart, soul, mind, and strength – and then to love others as myself. Abiding by your will is of utmost importance. In John 14:15 You put it very plainly, “If you love me, keep my commands.” So that is what we must do but love is the key to interpretation. May I live out my life in such a way as to please You and not just to be a stickler for abiding by the Law. Amen.
Apr 8th, 2018, Sun, 8:16 pm
