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The religious leaders were looking for another opportunity to put Jesus on the spot to try to prove He was a fake (Matthew 12: 1-8). So, Jesus gave them their chance and turned their condescending remarks into a testimony of His deity. He pointed out their assumptions and doctrinal errors and showed them the Truth. These religious leaders took the rest that God gave them in the Sabbath, and turned it into more work and burdens for the people. When they sought God’s rest, the leaders forced them to endure more hardships, and burdened them with legalism. A problem then, it still goes on today. What a tragedy it is for those to take your earned and deserved day off, and turn it into more chores for you while placing a bag on their heads so they cannot see the Lord. Traditions and assumptions became the focus of devotion and worship, not the Eternal God who gives hope and rest. Do not allow legalism and faulty thinking take your eyes off the rest that Jesus gives; He is the Rest, He is our Temple, He is the Lord, and He is our Comfort!
In the OT Sabbath is a symbol of God’s sovereignty and Lordship (Ex. 20:8). It is also a reminder of the redemption to come for the people under the Law, the redemption that we now have in the work of Christ (Duet. 5:12). The Law had strict guidelines pertaining to the Sabbath--how it was to be observed, and not violated. These laws were to lead the people to understand and know God as well as to keep the peace and not allow people to corrupt or ignore it. Unfortunately, the religious leaders corrupted it by adding so many countless, additional ordinances that the people were too tied down to the extra laws to ever look up and embrace God’s Lordship. These extra laws became restrictions and, ironically, violated God’s law and intent.
In contrast those who rejected the Sabbath typically did as they saw fit. They were considered to be rebelling against God, and they probably were. Thus, they considered Jesus such a person. They jumped to conclusions, and did not look to the facts of Scripture or to what Jesus was really doing! Or us as Christians we are not under law, but grace, we have freedom. We have been freed from sin, and declared cleaned (John 8:34-36; Rom 3:19; 6: 3-23; 1 Cor.15: 16; Gal. 3:10-20; 4:21-31). We have been set free from our own faulty thinking and superstitions (1 Cor. 6:12-13; 8:7-13; 1 Tim. 4:1-5). Because of these reasons, we respond with obedience--not out of obligation (as a slave does), but from gratitude and love. Genuine obedience comes only because of a changed heart and Will. We can mimic it, like a dog can walk on two legs, but it cannot do it very well or very long!
Because Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, He frees us from the bondage of legalism and false doctrines into the freedom of hope and rest (Col. 2:16-17). Jesus also frees us from the bondage that misguided, evil people place on others for personal gain. But, we must remove our attention and Will from such wrong paths, and place our focus upon Him. We must not see our traditions as a yoke to keep our eyes off His wonders and call. In a healthy church, we are to honor the past, but we are not to live in the past. We are to live in the present with our call and gifts, and take hold of His opportunities, serving and trusting in our Lord. We are to be in His freedom and rest, as He is the God of love and delight, not the God who burdens needlessly. And, we are to embrace the future and the wonders still to come (Heb. 4:9). Legalism is a yoke that will distract us from His wonders and call. We will not see Christ; we will only see the yoke and its stranglehold upon us. Lest we put it on others to distract them, we must take it off and embrace our real Lord. As Matthew 11:29 tells us, we need to take off our old, heavy burden, and place ourselves in His strength. Allow Christ to be your strength--not your thoughts, ideas, aspirations, or Will--as they will lead you astray. He will lead you to rest (Psalm. 55:22; Neh. 8:10; Isa. 40:29)!
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