February 16, 2026
February 15, 2026
Feb 15, 2026 “Lord of the Sabbath”(Matthew 12:1-8)
Matthew 12:1-8 New International
Version
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields
on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain
and eat them.
2 When the Pharisees saw this,
they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you
read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 He entered the house of
God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for
them to do, but only for the priests.
5 Or haven’t you read in the
Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet
are innocent?
6 I tell you that something
greater than the temple is here.
7 If you had known what these
words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a]
you would not have condemned the innocent.
8 For the Son of Man is Lord
of the Sabbath.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 12:7
Hosea 6:6
Lord of the
Sabbath
Matthew 12:1-8
The Pharisees see the disciples eating unpicked
grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees did not see hungry people but the law being
broken. The tradition or law of keeping the sabbath has been around for many years
at this time, yet what was more important- keeping the law or caring for the person?
Mosaic law forbade work on the Sabbath. Harvesting
grain to eat was considered work. Jesus is the voice of God and does not change
the law but looks at the law. Jesus takes the story of King David who violated the
law by eating consecrated bread. The scriptures do not condemn David but celebrates
the salvation of eating the bread.
Matthew 12:3-4 ESV
[3] He said to them, “Have you not read what David
did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: [4] how he entered the house
of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat
nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
Jesus then looks at the temple priests who must
work harder on the Sabbath to fulfill their duties.
Jesus comes to the conclusion that the law was
to save us and not to tie us down. Often times we forget the essence of the laws.
The essence of the Sabbath was to give people rest. Over time this day of rest became
a burden.
Jesus did not come to tear down the law, but to
restore it. At the centre of the law is restoration and life. The law was never
made to oppress people. It was made to give life. This brings up the question, "What
really pleases God?"
God desire mercy. The Hebrew word for mercy is
a covenantal mercy(chesed-steadfast love, kindness toward His people). Sacrifice
without mercy is not what God wants. Living a life that pleases God is what God
truly wants.
Matthew 12:7 ESV
[7] And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire
mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
It is no good coming to church, praying, taking
on roles at church, giving alms to the poor while not being merciful. The character
of God is seen in Jesus, we was merciful, compassionate, and giving.
Jesus is saying the sabbath is not a regulation
but it is himself. Jesus healed, set people free, and restored people. Jesus fulfilled
the sabbath. The standard of our faith is not how well we keep the rules but how
we reflect Jesus.
We need to experience the love of God and share
that with others. We need to reflect Jesus. The way life is given is mercy-the same
compassion that is given by God. It is not calling people out or judging them. When
Jesus is the centre of the service, worship and Sabbath, restoration will happen
wherever you go.
February 8, 2026
Feb 8, 2026 “When Faith Meets Questions”(Matthew 11:1-19)
Matthew 11:1-19 New
International Version
Jesus and John the Baptist
11 After Jesus had finished instructing his
twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]
2 When John, who was in prison,
heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples
3 to ask him, “Are you the
one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account
of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what
did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes
are in kings’ palaces.
9 Then what did you go out
to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is the one about whom
it is written:
“‘I
will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’[c]
11
Truly
I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John
the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[d] and violent people have been raiding it.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14 And if you are willing to
accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15
Whoever
has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this
generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to
others:
17
“‘We
played the pipe for you,
and
you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton
and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right
by her deeds.”
When Faith Meets Questions
Matthew 11:1-19
John the Baptist was a very disciplined man and well known. John the Babtist did many great things and attracted much attention. He was taken from the desert and his followers and put into prison.
John the Baptist had proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
Matthew 3:11-12 ESV
[11] “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Still John needed to examine who Jesus was, so John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one.
Matthew 11:2-3 ESV
[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Jesus responds with evidence of what He was doing rather than a direct answer.
Matthew 11:4-6 ESV
[4] And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
John would have to examine his understanding of who the messiah was. Jesus was doing something very radical. Jesus came to bring the Good News and He did great things such as healing people. John and his disciples were probably hoping Jesus would say that He was the Messiah. Yet, Jesus gave evidence to show the signs that He was the Messiah.
The Kingdom of God is revealed through actions and transformations. However, those actions are not great miracles, political movements or punishing unjust people and systems. The Kingdom of God is about restoration and healing what is broken.
Jesus gives praise to John the Baptist but added something very humbling.
Matthew 11:11 ESV
[11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus then goes onto show the spiritually corrupt generation with a children playing a game.
Matthew 11:16-19 ESV
[16] “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, [17] “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ [18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Here is an attitude problem with people. John the Baptist who was very disciplined, was criticized about his austere life. Whereas with Jesus, who celebrated openly, people criticized His behavior and His company. The people did not have the heart to see God truly. The people put their expectations first and refused to respond.
The real issues was not that God hadn't spoken or hadn’t shown himself; the real issue was the people had chosen not to respond.
If you love God, you will have questions. You might be in a type of prison. Waiting to be released from suffering while praying for change. You might see the signs of the Kingdom of God, but finding excuses not to believe this is the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel is being preached to the poor, the sick are being healed and the disabled made able. Jesus is still working and we need to respond to Jesus.
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