Series: The Unexpected Kingdom. Passage: Matthew 12:1-21. Preacher: Reg Piper. Date of Talk: 21 February, 2021
God gave Israel the Sabbath at Mt Sinai
Israel negotiated Judaism as a legal religion in the Empire
Pharisees regulated their Sabbath
Jesus defended his Disciples against the Pharisees v1-8
Pharisees were critical of hungry disciples breaking their Sabbath law v1-2
Jesus defended them by reasoning that
· Necessity trumps religious rules v3-4
· Rules have exceptions v5-6, 8
· Mercy prevails over critical spirit v7-8
Jesus provided for the Sick against the Pharisees v9-14
Pharisees provoked him to break their Sabbath law v9-10,14
Jesus defended his healing by reasoning that
· Sabbath was a day for doing good v11-13
The Pharisees plotted to destroy Jesus for he violated their Sabbath
Jesus was building hope for all the Nations v15-21
Jesus withdrew from immediate danger and healed all following v14-16
Matthew: Jesus fulfils Is.42: 1-4
· The Spirit anointed Servant of the Lord
· The gentle healer of the weak and helpless
· The meek and gentle executor of justice to the nations
Entrust yourself to the lowly Servant not the powerful Religionists 11:28-30
