-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

  Sabbath Controversies

-Another Sabbath Controversy

-Luke 6:1-5, Mark 2:23-28, Matt 12:1-8

-This seems to have taken place while Jesus was traveling from Jerusalem back to Galilee.

-The disciples, being hungry, plucked ears of corn and began to eat them – on the Sabbath.

-Jesus and His disciples were now under the watchful eyes of the Jewish leaders.  Notice in
       Luke 6:7, “and the scribes and the Pharisees watched him…that they might find an accusation
       against him”.

-Once again, the Jewish leaders claimed the Sabbath had been violated. 

-Jesus proved their innocence (Matt 12:7) in several ways.  He responded to their claims with
       an Old Testament example involving David, a person they would have firmly respected. (see
       1 Sam 21)  He also asked them about the priests who worked on the Sabbath, indicated that the
       Sabbath was made for man rather than man for the Sabbath, reminded them of the importance
       of mercy and stated that He was the Lord of the Sabbath.

-I would imagine that the Pharisees’ failure on this occasion and Jesus’ claim of authority over
 the Sabbath probably caused these Jewish leaders to depart in frustration and anger.

-A Third Sabbath Controversy

-Matt 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11

-Jesus entered into a synagogue on the Sabbath.  “According to Matthew’s account, ‘He went
   into their synagogue’…referring to the Pharisees who had tried to indict Him in the grainfield”
  (Roper,3, pg 30).

-While there, the scribes and Pharisees were taking note as to whether or not Jesus would heal
    a man (who was also present on that occasion) with a withered hand.

     -In an attempt to trap Jesus, the Jewish leaders asked Him whether or not it was lawful to
        heal on the Sabbath.  Due to their previous oppositions regarding healing on the Sabbath,
        it was obvious that the Jewish leaders deemed it unlawful.  Their minds were already made
        up.  Obviously therefore, this question was motivated by their growing hatred and contempt
        for Jesus. 

-Jesus referred to the fact that these Jewish leaders would save one of their sheep on the Sabbath.
  Yet, they were in opposition to the healing of a man on the Sabbath.  In a very gentle and wise
   manner, Jesus had revealed their hypocrisy. 

-Jesus then turned their same question around to them.  Nobody answered.

-Due to their hard hearts, Jesus was angry.  This does not indicate an abiding passion.  Instead,
   it s an indication of righteous indignation.

-Jesus then healed the man.

-As a result, the Pharisees took counsel with the Herodians.

     -“They” [the Pharisees] “hated the Herodians, but they hated Jesus more” (Roper,3, pg30).

     -“The union of these two opposite parties shows how intense was their feeling against Jesus. 
         The Pharisees and Herodians were fierce political enemies, yet they unite in plotting against
         Jesus.  Opposition to Jesus had been aroused some weeks before this at Passover at
         Jerusalem (John 5:16), and the flame was fanned by the memory of his driving out the cattle
         and money-changers from the temple the year before.  It was increased also by his teaching
         and miracles, and still more so by his rising popularity and his wonderful works…They
         advised among themselves not whether they would destroy him, but how they might destroy
         him.  They had already determined to do it, but how was the question to settle.” (Dorris,
         pg 72).