In my effort to be obedient to God, I sit down at my desk multiple times a day and ask Him what He wants me to write.  Just now, I asked Him which scripture to read and He led me to the following.  How fitting it is since today is the Sabbath.

Picking Grain on the Sabbath. 

^1 [a]At that time Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads^[b] of grain and eat them. 

² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” 

³ He said to them,^[c] “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, ⁴ how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? 

^5 [d]Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? 

⁶ I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. ^7 [e]If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men. 

^8 [f]For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

What are the Deeper Insights?  

1. David’s Example: Jesus refers to 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David eats the consecrated bread meant only for priests. This indicates that human need (hunger) can override ritualistic restrictions.
2. Priests Working on the Sabbath: Jesus points out that priests in the temple work on the Sabbath by performing their duties but are considered innocent. This highlights that certain necessary activities, even if they appear to violate Sabbath laws, are permissible.
3. Something Greater Than the Temple: Jesus declares that something greater than the temple is here, referring to Himself and His mission. This statement emphasizes His authority and the advent of a new understanding of the law.
4. Mercy Over Sacrifice: Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," to emphasize that the spirit of the law (compassion and mercy) is more important than the letter of the law (ritualistic observance).
5. Lord of the Sabbath: By claiming that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus asserts His divine authority over Sabbath laws, suggesting that He has the authority to interpret and fulfill the law.

Theological and Practical Implications

• Authority of Jesus: This passage underscores Jesus' authority to redefine religious practices and prioritizes human needs and compassion over strict legalism.
• Flexibility in Law: It suggests that the law should be applied with a focus on its intended purpose – to promote human well-being and mercy.
• New Covenant: Jesus introduces a new covenant where the emphasis is on inner spirituality rather than external compliance.

Scholarly Perspectives

• Interpretation of Law: Scholars note that Jesus' actions and teachings often challenge the Pharisees' rigid interpretations of the law, advocating for a more compassionate application.
• Messianic Identity: By claiming to be the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah with divine authority, which is a significant assertion in the context of Jewish expectations.

Modern Day Application 

• Working as a means to earn money to take care of your expenses; family.  In today's times, the cost of living has exploded forcing families to work 1 - 3 jobs, and sometimes on the Sabbath.
• For me, writing is being obedient to God.  Many authors and bloggers feel the same who write on the topic.

The hidden meaning behind these verses is the emphasis on mercy, the authority of Jesus, and the prioritization of human needs over rigid legalistic interpretations. Jesus’ teachings advocate for a compassionate and flexible approach to the law, aligning with the deeper spiritual intent of God's commandments.