Title: Priority of Saints/Matt 12:9-21
Content Key Verse: How much more valuable is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12).
When you open the duvets, do the children open the duvet first? From now on?
Also, do you wear underwear first? Do you wear outerwear first?
Also, when planting crops, do you sow seeds first? Or do you plow (plow) the field first?
Even those who serve God like this have things to do first and things to do later.
Today's text suggests what is really important.
I. Worship on the Sabbath.
1) Jesus was constantly challenged by the Pharisees, scribes, and elders.
Nevertheless, he kept the Sabbath and made sure to visit the synagogue.
① This is because hearing the word of God and worshiping God on the day of God is the most important, precious, and top priority.
② The closest way for believers to meet God is through worshiping God.
③ It is a time to receive refreshment through God's worship, although we may not feel it right away.
2) The circumstances of the church are slightly different, but they come to the church with various problems.
①When Jesus entered the synagogue, there was a man with a withered hand waiting for his salvation.
②Dear children, what problems did you have when you came to worship the Lord at this time?
③ When we worship God, He solves our problems.
④ Because God said that the only way is Jesus, and Jesus clearly said that I am the way, the truth, and the life.
3) But unfortunately, there are people like the Pharisees around us.
① On the other hand, when Jesus was about to heal a man with a withered hand, as if waiting for this time, the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was right to heal on the Sabbath.
②They considered it an unacceptable crime to heal on the Sabbath.
③It was immediately condemned as a crime worthy of death.
(Exodus 35:2) “Six days work, and the seventh day is holy to you, a special sabbath to the Lord.
④ In other words, the question of the Pharisees was that they had prepared a trap of death based on the law that required the death penalty for those who break the Sabbath.
⑤ When religion loses its vitality, it shows how evil it can be.
II. Human life.
1) To the Pharisees who challenged how to be healed on the Sabbath, Jesus gave the answer by citing their tradition that they should rescue a sheep from a dungeon even on the Sabbath in case of emergency.
① This response of Jesus points out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, and at the same time, gives a sharp blow to their unscrupulous attitude.
②Jesus showed that the spirit of the law is that even if life is of an animal, it must be rescued beyond the law when it is in danger.
2) Also, following the preciousness of the sheep's life, Jesus spoke of the greater value of life.
① Jesus completely sank the challenge of the Pharisees by saying that human life is more precious than sheep's life.
② The law that God ordained was made for humans, and it is clear that humans do not exist for the sake of the law (Mark 2:27).
The fundamental principle of the Sabbath is that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and the law of God is good.
A good law cannot afford to risk life.
The Word of God says that it is sin for a person to have the ability to do good and not do good (James 4:17).
But keep in mind that this lesson does not mean that it is okay to break the Sabbath if you do good.
Ⅲ. The word of God must be given priority above all else.
1) Jesus explained the principle of the Sabbath to the Pharisees, and while they were watching, He healed the hand of a withered person with a single word.
① Jesus proved it by healing the sick with a single word with divine authority as “one greater than the temple” and “master of the Sabbath.”
② This amazing miracle moved many people and made them follow Jesus.
2) However, because of this, the Pharisees were angry because of shame and insult.
①They were silent about Jesus' coherent teachings.
②I was overwhelmed by the miracle of Jesus' power.
③In the end, their malice was terribly thwarted, and their pride was terribly trampled on.
3) The Pharisees were helpless people.
① The Pharisees did not go their way, so they came to think of a way to kill Jesus.
②So the Pharisees came to quarrel with the Herodians, who were usually enemies.
③In the end, they quarreled with Pilate's government, creating the sin of nailing Jesus to the cross.
※ I hope you will be humble and understanding before the Word.
① King Saul was rejected by God by consistently using excuses when Samuel pointed out his wrongdoings.
② On the contrary, when David was pointed out of sin by the prophet Nathan, he confessed his contrition and became a person who was used preciously in the sight of God and men.
conclusion,
As believers in Jesus, we have priority.
① It is best to worship before God on the Sabbath.
② Above all else, life should be precious and precious.
③ Please keep in mind that the Word of God is what you hear, understand, and do.