Jesus is the object of attention....not the Sabbath

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

When Jesus and his disciples were walking through a grain field on the Sabbath, what were his disciples doing? Matt. 12:1. What did the Pharisees think of this? Verse 2. What examples did Jesus mention to show that biblical laws can sometimes be set aside? Verses 3-6. Did Jesus say that temple work is more important than the Sabbath command? Verse 5. Did Jesus say that his own work is more important than the temple? Verse 6. Did he proclaim himself more important than the Sabbath? Verse 8.
Temple rituals were more important than avoiding work on the Sabbath day. Temple rituals are now obsolete. This suggests that the Sabbath work restrictions, which are less important, may also be obsolete.

In defending his Sabbath activities, Jesus put the Sabbath in the same legal category as temple bread, sacrifices, and the physical temple, all of which are now obsolete. He treated the Sabbath as a ceremonial law. Jesus is more important than any of these worship customs. He is more important than the temple itself and more important than the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:6, 8).