Matthew 12:1-8
This passage perplexed me for many years. Why did King David get to eat the consecrated bread? And how can priests get away with “desecrating” the Sabbath? I finally realized this complex teaching by Jesus in response to an accusation by some Pharisees is a revelation of two foundational lessons. First, Jesus reveals His identity. Second, Jesus reveals His mission.
Regarding His identity:
When Jesus states: “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here,” He is making the epic implication that He is the Christ. The temple in Jerusalem is where Hebrew people went to worship God. The Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies represented the presence of the Lord God Almighty. There is only one who could be greater than the temple, and that is God Himself. Jesus was Immanuel, which means “God with us,” as stated in Matthew 1:23.
Christ is the Greek word, and Messiah is the Hebrew word, for “Anointed One.” Yet what does anointed one mean? There were three groups of people anointed with olive oil by the Hebrews: priests, kings, and prophets.
Yes priests were anointed, for example see Exodus 30:22-33.
Yes kings were anointed, for example see I Samuel 16:13 or 2 Kings 9:1-6.
Yes even prophets could be anointed, though that may not have been standard, since there is one single recording of such in I Kings 19:16. (There might be more, but I have only found one.)
This anointing was done at their installment to symbolize the start of their office. All three positions involved special duties, special responsibilities, and special privileges, with each of the three positions being unique.
The wild thing about the Messiah: He was to encompass all three.
Jesus is the Eternal High Priest! Hebrews is the book which clearly explains this fact. Hebrews 8:1-2 reveals Jesus is the high priest who made the eternal sacrifice on the cross and who serves even now in heaven.
Jesus is the King of kings, which is revealed in Revelation 19:16.
Jesus is The Prophet, as Peter affirmed in Acts 3:22.
When Jesus said, “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath,” He said the term “Son of Man” in the third person, yet such was a style used in the “ancient near east.” Thus Jesus is talking about Himself. And the Son of Man was a term Jesus often used in reference to the Christ. Being the Christ, He knew what He could do on the Sabbath.
I note the special duties for priests were the reason priests could “desecrate” the Sabbath. While other Hebrew people were able to worship and rest on that day, priests had to work. That was a big day for offering sacrifices on behalf of the people! And the subject of sacrifice leads to Christ’s mission.
Regarding Christ’s mission:
Reciting a statement recorded by the prophet Hosea, Jesus makes a radical statement that God desires mercy and not sacrifice. Yet on behalf of the people, and for themselves, priests made sacrifices in the temple area, and those sacrifices brought mercy. It was a key part of their job, as demanded by the Mosaic Law.
But their sacrifices were imperfect and thus temporary. The mission of the Messiah was to make the eternal sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins of all people, which made mercy available for all people. People do not need to make a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law. And Hebrew priests no longer need to sacrifice animals at the temple. Jesus was the perfect atoning sacrifice. His work is finished.
Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone, including you. All of us people have sinned, and our due punishment is spiritual death. Yet Jesus was the substitute, dying physically and spiritually in our place. Then He was resurrected. If you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be forgiven, and you will never spiritually die. You will have eternal life in Jesus!
Hunter Irvine
