Sabbath, Judgment, Mercy, and Forgiveness

But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Matthew 12.7-8]

I am finding myself overwhelmed by the Gospels this time through. There is just so much to learn.

The Sabbath has been a touchy subject for a long time. Even today, discussions about the Sabbath bring much concern. I myself have had many times of pause to think about what the Sabbath means to me today.

First, the Sabbath is kind of like a flagship for the Law. Not that all the other commandments are meaningless - that is not at all what I am suggesting - but that the Sabbath is perhaps the most recognizable aspect of Old Testament religious structure. One might say that the Sabbath represents all the Law.

Jesus came on the scene declaring the Sabbath to be "for man" and not the other way around.

Furthermore, Jesus spoke of judgment being given to Himself:

In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. [John 5.22-23]

The significance of this is found in the Matthew 12 passage above, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices..." You see, that is precisely what Jesus did when he healed the sick - he showed mercy to undeserving people even though He had all authority to judge them!

If Jesus is our example (and He is), then we too are given the same authority to judge (because everything Jesus was given, He passed on to us - John 17.18)... but we too are given the same example of mercy! We are to give mercy (i.e. forgive) others making possible God's will in them AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Jesus taught us to "Judge not..." not because we don't have the authority to, but rather Jesus taught us not to judge because we haven't been judged! We have all authority as Kingdom representatives to judge others because God's righteous requirement is perfect holiness. However, lest we be consumed  ourselves by the very justice we demand on others, MERCY and FORGIVENESS are our way to demonstrate Jesus to the world AND to receive such ourselves.

Wow! See, the Pharisees beat people up over the Sabbath (the Law). Jesus, on the other hand, promoted mercy and forgiveness in teaching that the Sabbath was FOR man and not AGAINST him!

Father, help me to absorb all You have for me today from Your good Word!