Key Passage
Jesus said to them, "You have read what David did when he and the people with him were hungry. David went into God's house. David and the people with him ate the bread that was offered to God. It was against the law for David or the people with him to eat that bread. Only the priests were allowed to eat it. And you have read in the law {of Moses} that on every Sabbath day the priests at the temple break the law about the Sabbath day. But the priests are not wrong for doing that. I tell you that there is something here that is greater than the temple."
— Matthew 12:3-6 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus emphasizes that we must look beyond the letter of the Law. While technically violating the Sabbath by eating the holy bread, David and his companions are not condemned because of God's plan to use David. While technically violating the Sabbath prohibition against work, the priests serving in the Temple are not violating the Law because they are doing what they are called to do to bless God's Temple. We must look beyond the letter of the Law and listen for the heart of God in the Law. Jesus is greater than David and greater than the Temple. For him, the work of God must continue every day, especially on Sabbath days, because that is the will of God beyond the Law of God.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, thank you for giving me Scripture to read about your work and relationship with your people of Israel. Please help me to find your will in Scripture and not just a set of rules. But Father, more than just knowing what you desire of me, please help me to do it. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Then the followers of John came to Jesus. They said to Jesus, "We and the Pharisees fast often. But your followers don't fast. Why?" Jesus answered, "{When there is a wedding,} the friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will leave them. The friends are sad when the bridegroom leaves. Then they will fast.
— Matthew 9:14-15
Jesus answered, "Evil and sinful people are the ones that want to see a miracle for a sign (proof). But no miracle will be given as a sign to those people. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to the prophet Jonah. Jonah was in the stomach of the big fish for three days and three nights. In the same way, the Son of Man will be in the grave three days and three nights. On the judgment day, you people that live now will be compared with the people from Nineveh, and they will be witnesses to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because when Jonah preached to those people, they changed their hearts and lives. And you are listening to someone greater than Jonah, {but you refuse to change}! On the judgment day, you people that live now will also be compared with the Queen of the South, and she will be a witness to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because she traveled from far, far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is right here, {but you won't listen to me}!
— Matthew 12:39-42
Jesus was doing these things (healing) on the Sabbath day. So the Jews began to do bad things to Jesus. But Jesus said to the Jews, "My Father never stops working. And so I work too."
— John 5:16-17
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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Jesus said to them, "You have read what David did when he and the people with him were hungry. David went into God's house. David and the people with him ate the bread that was offered to God. It was against the law for David or the people with him to eat that bread. Only the priests were allowed to eat it. And you have read in the law {of Moses} that on every Sabbath day the priests at the temple break the law about the Sabbath day. But the priests are not wrong for doing that. I tell you that there is something here that is greater than the temple."
— Matthew 12:3-6 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus emphasizes that we must look beyond the letter of the Law. While technically violating the Sabbath by eating the holy bread, David and his companions are not condemned because of God's plan to use David. While technically violating the Sabbath prohibition against work, the priests serving in the Temple are not violating the Law because they are doing what they are called to do to bless God's Temple. We must look beyond the letter of the Law and listen for the heart of God in the Law. Jesus is greater than David and greater than the Temple. For him, the work of God must continue every day, especially on Sabbath days, because that is the will of God beyond the Law of God.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, thank you for giving me Scripture to read about your work and relationship with your people of Israel. Please help me to find your will in Scripture and not just a set of rules. But Father, more than just knowing what you desire of me, please help me to do it. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Then the followers of John came to Jesus. They said to Jesus, "We and the Pharisees fast often. But your followers don't fast. Why?" Jesus answered, "{When there is a wedding,} the friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will leave them. The friends are sad when the bridegroom leaves. Then they will fast.
— Matthew 9:14-15
Jesus answered, "Evil and sinful people are the ones that want to see a miracle for a sign (proof). But no miracle will be given as a sign to those people. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to the prophet Jonah. Jonah was in the stomach of the big fish for three days and three nights. In the same way, the Son of Man will be in the grave three days and three nights. On the judgment day, you people that live now will be compared with the people from Nineveh, and they will be witnesses to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because when Jonah preached to those people, they changed their hearts and lives. And you are listening to someone greater than Jonah, {but you refuse to change}! On the judgment day, you people that live now will also be compared with the Queen of the South, and she will be a witness to show that you are wrong (guilty). Why? Because she traveled from far, far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is right here, {but you won't listen to me}!
— Matthew 12:39-42
Jesus was doing these things (healing) on the Sabbath day. So the Jews began to do bad things to Jesus. But Jesus said to the Jews, "My Father never stops working. And so I work too."
— John 5:16-17
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
Hello Hewthir, we're praying for your strength and focus. Remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Let's agree for your endurance and concentration in Jesus' name! 
@Philly_Campbell is starting a new life! Let's ask God to protect and guide her, and keep her surrounded by positive influences.
Let's remember persecuted Christians worldwide and pray for peace and salvation in Israel.
Hello everyone! 
Hello everyone! Let's lift up 
