The Sabbath 10.05.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Matthew please read Chapter 12 in your Bible or Click Here to read it online. You can also cut & paste the link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jesus concerning the Sabbath; the controversy with the Parisees; the unpardonable sin; Jesus' death and resurrection foretold; and His earthly family. Today's message focuses on the New Covenants that replaced some of the Old Testament Covenants.

Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees who criticized His disciples for picking corn in the field to eat on the Sabbath, "At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple." (Matthew 12:1-6).

In the Old Testament God's people had been commanded to keep the last day of the week (Saturday), the Sabbath, as a day of rest to commemorate God's completing all things in six days and resting on the seventh, (See Exodus 20:9-11). This meant that a person could not even pick up a stick off the ground. However, all that changed when Jesus said, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day..........What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." (Matthew 12:8,11-12).

Because Jesus rose from the grave on the first day of the week, most Christians worship Him on that day, this way we honor Him first as the Lord of our lives. The Sabbath day of rest has its counterpart in the New Covenant, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." (Colossisans 2:16-17). Incidently, the Passover was replaced with a New Covenant at Jesus' final Passover when He instituted the Lord's Supper, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Our hearts rejoice with resounding thanksgiving, as we consider that You chose us before the world was made so that we could be Your holy people; people without blame before You. Because of Your love, You chose to make us Your own children through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We are set free by the blood of His death as You forgive us of our sins. Your awesome power is seen not only in the vast universe but in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls whose lives are submitted to Your divine authority. What a magnificent God we serve! In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed week.
God Bless,
Christina

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