2025.05.04.Sermon Notes. Matthew 12.1-21 LORD OF THE SABBATH-SERVANT OF MERCY
William Akehurst, HSWC
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27,
BIG IDEA: JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and compassion over condemnation.
JESUS redefines true Sabbath rest, corrects legalistic distortions, and fulfills the Servant prophecy with a ministry of gentle justice and mercy.
Background:
Conflict Rising
By chapter 12 of Matthew, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders is intensifying. The issue at hand is Sabbath observance, one of the most identity-defining practices of the Jewish people. The Sabbath was both a creation ordinance (Genesis 2:2–3) and a covenantal sign (Exodus 31:13), and so it held deep theological and national importance. However, the Pharisees had added extensive oral traditions that transformed it from a gift of rest into a burden of regulations.
Matthew presents Jesus as the new and greater Moses and as Immanuel, God with us. This passage thus shows both Jesus’ authority and His compassionate mission.
I. MAIN POINT: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (vs. 1–8)
"The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (v. 8)
• Point: Jesus reveals that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (cf. Mark 2:27). He, as Lord of the Sabbath, has authority to define its purpose: rest, mercy, and restoration.
II. Lord of the Sabbath: A Greater Authority (Matthew 12:1–8)
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry…”
• Jesus and His disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accuse them of breaking the Law.
A. The Accusation (v. 2)
• The Pharisees accuse the disciples of harvesting (plucking grain) and threshing (rubbing heads of grain)—both forbidden according to rabbinic tradition.
• Jesus does not rebuke His disciples but defends them, signaling His authority to interpret the Law.
NOTE: Matthew just quoted Jesus offering us an easy yoke and a light burden. Now He shows us the kind of heavy burdens and hard yokes the religious leaders put upon the people. When the disciples began to pluck the heads of grain, in the eyes of the religious leaders they were guilty of:
• Reaping.
• Threshing.
• Winnowing.
• Preparing food.
This represented four violations of the Sabbath in one mouthful!
NOTABLE NOTE: At this time, many rabbis filled Judaism with elaborate rituals related to the Sabbath and observance of other laws. Ancient rabbis taught that on the Sabbath a man could not carry something in his right hand or in his left hand, across his chest or on his shoulder; but he could carry something with the back of his hand, with his foot, elbow, or in the ear, on the hair, in the hem of his shirt, or in his shoe or sandal. On the Sabbath one was forbidden to tie a knot – except a woman could tie a knot in her girdle. So if a bucket of water had to be raised from a well, one could not tie a rope to the bucket, but a woman could tie her girdle to the bucket and then to the rope.
(SPURGEON) The Pharisees here seem hard at work supervising and accusing the disciples. This was a greater violation of the Sabbath. “Did they not break the Sabbath by setting a watch over them?”
B. The Scriptural Defense (vs. 3–4)
“Have you not read what David did when he was hungry”
Jesus appeals to David eating the bread of the Presence (1 Samuel 21), which was technically unlawful.
PRINCIPLE #1:
Jesus presented is simple and illustrated by David’s experience with the priests and the showbread (1 Samuel 21). Jesus reminded them that human need is more important than observing ceremonial rituals.
The incident with David was a valid defense, because: it was a case of eating, probably on the Sabbath.
1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.
It concerned not only David, but also his followers.
This does not endorse lawbreaking but shows that the human need can outweigh ceremonial regulations.
C. The Temple and the Son of Man (vs. 5–6)
“The priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless”
PRINCIPLE #2:
Jesus presented is also simple. The priests themselves break the Sabbath all the time. Perhaps the Pharisees didn’t understand as much about Sabbath observance as they thought they did.
POINT: The Law was meant to serve life, not hinder it.
Priests “break” the Sabbath by working in the temple, yet are innocent.
Jesus makes a radical claim and declares: "Something greater than the temple is here"
• Jesus positions Himself as the new locus of God's presence.
• He is greater than the temple, greater than David, and greater than the Law.
He concludes, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (v. 8), tying back to Daniel This ties back to Daniel 7, where the Son of Man is a divine figure who receives everlasting dominion.
(GUZIK) Jesus is not merely interpreting the Sabbath; He owns it.
III. God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice (vs. 7–8)
“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, showing that God values compassionate hearts more than strict religious observance.
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Sacrifice here represents religious observance; mercy represents the ethical core of God's character.
The Pharisees, in their zeal to uphold the Law, missed the heart of the Law—which is to reflect God's character: gracious, patient, kind.
Jesus shows that the heart of God is relational, not ritualistic.
True holiness reflects God’s heart—gracious and merciful. True holiness is not external conformity, but inward compassion that reflects God’s mercy.
“For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath”
PRINCIPLE #3:
Based on WHO JESUS IS. He is greater than the temple, even as much as they honored and valued the temple. Even more so, He is Lord even of the Sabbath.
This was a direct claim to Deity. Jesus said that He had the authority to know if His disciples broke the Sabbath law, because He is the Lord even of the Sabbath.
Jesus was indeed greater than the temple. Considering how highly the temple was regarded in the days of Jesus, this was a shocking statement. Yet the temple as it stood in Jesus’ day did not have the ark of the covenant, that important demonstration of the throne and presence of God. Yet Jesus was a much greater demonstration of the presence of God – He was God made flesh! The temple also lacked the Shekinah, the Urim and Thummim, and the sacred fire from heaven. Yet Jesus is all these things to us; He is surely greater than the temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(GUZIK) Since Jesus is greater than the temple, we should regard Him as so.
· The temple was admired with love and wonder; we should admire Jesus even more.
· The temple was joyfully visited; we should come to Jesus with even more joy.
· The temple was honored as a holy place; we should honor Jesus even more so.
· The temple was a place of sacrifice and service; we should do even more for Jesus.
· The temple was a place for worship; we should worship Jesus even more.
IV. Healing on the Sabbath (vs. 9–14)
“It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
A man with a withered hand is brought before Jesus.
The Pharisees test Him: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
“Which one of you who has a sheep… would not lift it out?”
Jesus uses a powerful illustration: if you would rescue a sheep on the Sabbath, how much more valuable is a person?
He heals the man, revealing that the Sabbath is a time for liberation, not legalism.
Application: Our faith must lead us to compassion, not condemnation. We may follow rules, but love must always lead.
V. It is Lawful to Do Good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9–14)
“Which one of you who has a sheep… would not lift it out?”
A. The Test (v. 10)
• The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus. Healing was debated in rabbinic law—allowed only for life-threatening conditions.
• The Pharisees seek to trap Jesus. Healing wasn’t forbidden by Mosaic Law but was debated in rabbinic circles—only allowed for life-threatening conditions.
B. Jesus' Rebuttal (vs. 11–12)
Jesus uses the argument common to rabbinic teaching:
• If it's right to rescue a sheep, how much more a person, made in God’s image?
Doing good is not just allowed on the Sabbath—it fulfills its purpose.
• Sabbath is for restoration, mercy, and wholeness.
C. The Healing and the Hatred (v. 13–14)
Jesus heals the man’s hand with a word—highlighting both His power and intent to restore.
The Pharisees, instead of marveling, plot His destruction.
• Here we see the tragic irony: They accuse Jesus of breaking the Law while plotting murder—a true violation of the Law.
VI. The Servant of the Lord: Gentle Justice (vs. 15–21)
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”
Matthew quotes Isaiah 42, portraying Jesus as the gentle, Spirit-filled Servant.
Though Jesus withdrew from confrontation, He continued healing and ministering to all who followed.
This passage shows us that Jesus meets people in their brokenness, not with harshness but with healing.
A. Jesus Withdraws, But Continues His Mission (v. 15)
• Jesus is not avoiding conflict out of fear, but fulfilling the prophecy of the Servant in Isaiah 42.
• He demonstrates authority in silence, power in gentleness.
B. The Fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1–5 (vs. 17–21)
“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen”
1. God’s Chosen Servant (v. 18)
Jesus is the one empowered by the Spirit (cf. Matthew 3:16–17).
He brings justice not through violence but through mercy.
The quotation from Isaiah 42:1-5 speaks of the gentle character of the Messiah, who is the Servant of Yahweh (GOD). This was a common and important designation of Jesus.
Isaiah 42:1-5
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
Jesus described Himself as a servant. But Jesus isn’t just a servant. He is The Servant, and everyone should behold, as the LORD says, My Servant.
Jesus the Servant is an example to us as servants, but He is so much more than that.
He is our Servant.
He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also He serves us every day through His constant love, care, guidance, and intercession.
Jesus did not stop serving when He went to heaven; He serves all His people more effectively than ever from heaven.
2. Gentleness to the Weak (v. 20)
“Bruised reed” = the weak, the broken, the used-up.
“Smoldering wick” = those with fading hope or strength.
Jesus does not discard the weak; He restores them.
In contrast to the Pharisees' judgment, Jesus offers compassionate justice.
3. Hope for the Nations (v. 21)
“In His name Gentiles will trust.”
This passage closes with a missional vision: “In His name the Gentiles will hope.”
Jesus' kingdom is global, inclusive, and grounded in gentle justice.
In spite of the rejection of the religious leaders, the common people still follow Jesus, and He remains God’s chosen servant.
Finally, the quote from Isaiah 42:6-9 speaks of the ultimate ministry of Jesus to the Gentiles. This was something surprising and perhaps even offensive to the Jewish Readers of Matthew’s Gospel.
Isaiah 42:6-9
6 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Praise to the LORD
Summary
The Gentle Servant and Restoring Lord
Jesus is the true Sabbath rest, the merciful interpreter of the Law, and the gentle Servant of Isaiah. Let us lay down burdens, receive His mercy, and extend His compassionate justice to a weary world.
Jesus the Servant is an example to us as servants, but He is so much more than that. He is our Servant.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
In a world that often demands performance, perfection, and punishment, Jesus offers rest, healing, and mercy.
Let us not become like the Pharisees—rigid in our religion but empty of grace.
Let us reflect our Lord: gentle, merciful, and always ready to heal.
REMEMBER: God desires mercy, not sacrifice—a heart that loves Him and loves others, even when it’s inconvenient.
Conclusion:
In Matthew 12:1–21, Jesus stands in contrast to the oppressive religiousness of the Pharisees. He is the true Sabbath rest, the merciful interpreter of the Law, and the gentle Servant who brings hope to the nations. Let us lay down our burdens, rest in His mercy, and extend His compassionate justice to a weary world.
Application: Living as People of Mercy and Rest
1. Do you rest in Christ, or perform for God?
Are there areas in your life where you're valuing rules over people?
Sabbath is not just a day; it is a person—Jesus, in whom we find true rest (Hebrews 4:9–10).
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2. Do you show mercy over sacrifice?
How can you show Christ-like mercy in a legalistic or judgmental world?
Ask: Does your Christianity produce compassion for the weak, or judgment of others?
3. Do you represent Jesus’ gentleness?
The Church must reflect the gentle Servant—caring for the bruised reeds and smoldering wicks around us.
In what ways do you need the gentle healing of Christ today?
Footnotes:
Genesis 2:2–3; Exodus 31:13 – Origins of Sabbath
1 Samuel 21:1–6 – David and the bread of the Presence
Hosea 6:6 – Mercy over sacrifice
Daniel 7:13–14 – Son of Man
Isaiah 42:1–4 – The Servant of the Lord
Hebrews 4:9–10 – Sabbath rest in Christ
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Pastor Bill
