Day 15: Matthew 12:1-21

Jesus: The greater David/Temple, Lord of the Sabbath, yet opposed Suffering Servant

Jesus here is challenged about His disciples crushing corn on the Sabbath. Instead of jumping to their misapplication of the law he challenges them as to His identity. David was ok to feed himself and his followers while not obeying the law. So too the priests are allowed to work on the Sabbath. So what about Jesus? He claims here, more than to be greater than David, but even greater than the temple! The very place where God met with His people! Big claims! Jesus put himself on more than a par with David and even with the whole old system. He is Lord of Sabbath, he defines it!

Only then do we see an incident where Jesus realigns their thinking about the Sabbath and exposes the hypocrisy of their rule keeping. We see now the beginnings of the opposition against Him which will culminate in His death. Matthew tells us though that many follow Him at this point and that He is fulfilling the prophesy from the servant section of Isaiah, the one who will eventually die for the sins of His people.