Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5 (Plucking grain on the Sabbath)

Rachel Workman:

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
12 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” 3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 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.’[a] 8 For the Son of Man[b] is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” I really love this version with all the details in it. Harvesting grain! They were merely eating a few stocks. Humans are good at exaggerating things when the cause fits our needs. Jesus tells them that the law of Moses says the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath. Jesus being the ultimate priest. He really kinda laid it on them and made them appear ignorant of the scripture although they were proposed experts.  I think I would do well to listen here when Jesus says I want you to show mercy and not sacrifices. We I need to put my sinful nature aside and how mercy.	23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” I like this version. The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. Jesus is for people, all people. He came for people and he died for people. His life was created, lived and taken for people. Hard to imagine really, I think we lose sight of the fact that we were created for relationship. Relationship with God, and with other people. We should always show love and compassion just as we have been shown.	6 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man[a] is Lord, even over the Sabbath.” Jesus is Lord even over the Sabbath. He is Lord of all things. That's very good news for us. For the Scriptures say, "God has put all things under his authority." So we can rest in the truth knowing that the one who created us is still in control and still Lord of all things.

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John Burnett:  The Pharisees definitely didn’t understand who they were talking to or that he came to fulfill the law and show mercy to those who were not capable of following it.

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Mike Grimm: 

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
12 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” 3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 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.’[a] 8 For the Son of Man[b] is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” It’s funny how the Pharisees were more concerned with the men eating on the Sabbath than they were of the men actually stealing the grain. Christ was here to free his followers, not only from the corruptions of the Pharisees, but from their unscriptural rules, and justification for what they did. The resting on the Sabbath was ordained for man's own good. No law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. Being as Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath; it is fitting that the day and any necessary work be dedicated to Him.	23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” God never intended for the Sabbath to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it a burden to ourselves. Man was not made for the Sabbath, as we could never perform a service to God by obeying it. I don’t think any of us could ever totally obey the Sabbath. However, we are to respect it, and any we work that we do partake in; we do in honour of God.	6 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man[a] is Lord, even over the Sabbath.” Christ justified the disciple’s actions because they were hungry. The Pharisees took everything beyond how God intended it. It’s important to remember that Christianity + Rules = Religion, which is simply having somebody else’s beliefs piled on top of your beliefs. The Pharisees remind me of the Catholic Church today. In addition to God’s word (The Holy Bible), they also pile on the Catholic Canon Law and the Catechism. Not to mention the beliefs passed down by their parents.   It’s important that we spend the Sabbath in God’s service and honour Him as much as we can, much like we should be doing every day.