Our paragraph topic is:(The disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath) Pt 3.
Christ continues to instruct the Pharisees in their accusations of the disciples. The disciples have plucked grain on the Sabbath and eaten it. The Pharisees witness this act of violation of the Law, according to their interpretations, and bring it to the attention of Christ. Christ does not respond to their accusations but instead instructs them in the interpretation of the Law. The Pharisees were the authority on the Law. They interpreted the Law to their satisfaction to keep the people in line. They enforced their interpretation of the Law so that they could remain in power and have dominion over the people. They did not know.
They did not know that they spoke with the creator of the Law. They did not know that Christ also knew the Law. And he kindly and gently instructed them as to their error. In their rush to judgment they forgot about those parts of the scripture that showed others breaking the law. In their rush to judgment they forgot about King David breaking the law because he was hungry. In their rush to judgment they forgot about the priest who brake the law on the Sabbath. Christ asked them, "Have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are guiltless?"
You see, the Pharisees had their own interpretation of the Law. They interpreted the Law according to their needs and their necessities, to keep the people in line. This is why Christ said to them, "But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here." And with this statement came the shock. For Christ told them that he was greater than the Temple and that, was considered blasphemy. No one was greater than the temple except God. Yet, here was a man, admittedly a man, a rabbi, with great power, but in their eyes, not God. Yet the statement was out in the open for them to hear in shock and disbelief.
The Pharisees wanted to align themselves with Christ. They wanted to be his disciples also. Because of his great power and miracles they could see that the people were following him and dismissing them. And now came this statement and the violation of the Law in plain view of their enforcement power. This was an insult. This was injury. This was unforgivable in their eyes. They were the almighty enforcers of the law. They were the keepers of the faith. No one knew the ins and outs of their religion more than they did. Yet Christ stood in their midst and instructed them on the error of their ways. He instructed them on the scriptures. He instructed them on their knowledge. And there it was, the spirit of arrogance, standing there in their face. They did not know.
Are you a Pharisee in your church today? Are you a learned scholar of the scriptures? Christ wants to instruct you. Will you listen? Will you learn? Or will arrogance stand in your face causing you to be blinded to the truth? Christ brought the good news to earth so that the people would know how to live. Christ brought us the good news so that we would know how to forgive. Christ brought us the good news so that we would know how to love one another. Yet we still do not understand. There is but one teacher. There is but one preacher. All others are merely shepherds leading the flock to the teacher. And the Divine Helper teaches all. Will you seek the wisdom of Christ? Will you seek the humility of Christ? Will you seek Christ's love for one and all? For through it and with it and of it we are transformed into aliens not from this world. For the Holy Spirit will convict. The Holy Spirit will transform. The Holy Spirit will reward. The Holy Spirit will assign you your task in the workforce of Christ. Will you seek Him? Will you learn from Him? Will you know Him? I have and I do!
Christ continues to instruct the Pharisees in their accusations of the disciples. The disciples have plucked grain on the Sabbath and eaten it. The Pharisees witness this act of violation of the Law, according to their interpretations, and bring it to the attention of Christ. Christ does not respond to their accusations but instead instructs them in the interpretation of the Law. The Pharisees were the authority on the Law. They interpreted the Law to their satisfaction to keep the people in line. They enforced their interpretation of the Law so that they could remain in power and have dominion over the people. They did not know.
They did not know that they spoke with the creator of the Law. They did not know that Christ also knew the Law. And he kindly and gently instructed them as to their error. In their rush to judgment they forgot about those parts of the scripture that showed others breaking the law. In their rush to judgment they forgot about King David breaking the law because he was hungry. In their rush to judgment they forgot about the priest who brake the law on the Sabbath. Christ asked them, "Have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are guiltless?"
You see, the Pharisees had their own interpretation of the Law. They interpreted the Law according to their needs and their necessities, to keep the people in line. This is why Christ said to them, "But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here." And with this statement came the shock. For Christ told them that he was greater than the Temple and that, was considered blasphemy. No one was greater than the temple except God. Yet, here was a man, admittedly a man, a rabbi, with great power, but in their eyes, not God. Yet the statement was out in the open for them to hear in shock and disbelief.
The Pharisees wanted to align themselves with Christ. They wanted to be his disciples also. Because of his great power and miracles they could see that the people were following him and dismissing them. And now came this statement and the violation of the Law in plain view of their enforcement power. This was an insult. This was injury. This was unforgivable in their eyes. They were the almighty enforcers of the law. They were the keepers of the faith. No one knew the ins and outs of their religion more than they did. Yet Christ stood in their midst and instructed them on the error of their ways. He instructed them on the scriptures. He instructed them on their knowledge. And there it was, the spirit of arrogance, standing there in their face. They did not know.
Are you a Pharisee in your church today? Are you a learned scholar of the scriptures? Christ wants to instruct you. Will you listen? Will you learn? Or will arrogance stand in your face causing you to be blinded to the truth? Christ brought the good news to earth so that the people would know how to live. Christ brought us the good news so that we would know how to forgive. Christ brought us the good news so that we would know how to love one another. Yet we still do not understand. There is but one teacher. There is but one preacher. All others are merely shepherds leading the flock to the teacher. And the Divine Helper teaches all. Will you seek the wisdom of Christ? Will you seek the humility of Christ? Will you seek Christ's love for one and all? For through it and with it and of it we are transformed into aliens not from this world. For the Holy Spirit will convict. The Holy Spirit will transform. The Holy Spirit will reward. The Holy Spirit will assign you your task in the workforce of Christ. Will you seek Him? Will you learn from Him? Will you know Him? I have and I do!
