Recognizing the importance of dealing with the contentions that had existed between the
religious leaders and the Lord Jesus Christ, concerning the proper observance of the Sabbath
Day, Matthew records two important historical events, within which, this matter comes to a head.
We have considered one of these events last time, when the Pharisees had accused the Lord's
disciples of breaking the Sabbath, for picking and eating heads of grain. This morning then, we
move on to consider the second of these events, where the Pharisees accuse Jesus of violating the
Sabbath Day for healing a man who had a withered hand.
I. The Accusation (vs. 9-10)
"Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue" (vs. 9). In
Luke's account of this event, we find that this actually takes place on a different Sabbath Day,
which again, affirms Matthew's desire to intentionally put these two events together, not to
satisfy chronological purposes, but rather, to highlight our Lord's righteous understanding of the
Sabbath Day, contrary to the abuse of the Pharisees. And so, here we find that, following the
previous event on the Sabbath, at a later time, the Lord had intentionally entered the synagogue
which was overseen by these same Pharisees, to teach there.
And what's worthy of note here, brethren, right from the outset, is that, while the
Pharisees are plotting to catch our Lord in some violation of the Law of Moses, the Lord does
not avoid them. In fact, He intentionally goes right into their own domain, knowing what they
are up to, so as to expose and deal with their treacherous ways. We are told that, "He went into
their synagogue." And so, this was intentional on our Lord's |
