Part 4: On the Sabbath, Matthew 12; John 5
Theme series in the form of this question:
Did Jesus actually change the Law of Moses?
The point is to see whether Jesus was merely repeating Moses…or whether, as the New Covenant lawgiver, he changed and even overturned Torah at certain points:
Today we look at the Sabbath law and whether or not Jesus changed that law.
As before, first read what God had originally required from His covenant people.
What was said? Exodus 16
Ex 16:22-30, takes place before the formal giving of the Law at Sinai, represented by the 10 commandments:
"Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today."
READ: Ex 20:1-10, the 10 words given at Sinai:
"You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates." Cp. Lev. 23:3; Deut 5.12-15 where the 10 are repeated.
Later prophets like Jeremiah 17:19-27 add:
vv. 22, 24: "You must not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work." Cp. Nehemiah 13:19.
Punishment for breaking the Sabbath? Numbers 15:30-36.
v.30 "sins defiantly," (NIV) "brazenly violate the LORD’s will," (NLT) Heb. literally reads “with a high hand," i.e., Hebrew expression or idiom meaning doing something deliberately, premeditated, malice of aforethought hence with an arrogant attitude towards God's law.
Group questions:
What is the one thing you cannot do on the Sabbath?
Did "work" include basic "humanitarian" needs like food (cooking+eating), tending to your family, your livestock?
Jesus Healing at Bethesda: John 5:1-23
Jesus deliberately heals a man on the Sabbath (contra Num 15:30-36) and rather brazenly commands him to carry his load (contra Jeremiah 17:21);
The Jewish leaders’ accusation is grounded in Scripture, not their "traditions";
John had said Jesus "was doing these things on the Sabbath.” John 5:16;
Therefore right to conclude Jesus was "breaking the Sabbath.” John 5:18a;
Jesus did not deny the charge but even doubled down saying:
“My Father is always at his work to this very day [which day?], and I too am working [on what day?].” John 5:17
Again, what was the one thing you could not do on the Sabbath according to Torah?
Judaism acknowledged God never kept the Sabbath!
God always gives life on the Sabbath (births occur).
God always takes life on the Sabbath (death occurs).
Genesis 2:2 The NET Bible note:
The Hebrew term שָׁבַּת (shabbat) can be translated “to rest” (“and he rested”) but it basically means “to cease.” This is not a rest from exhaustion; it is the cessation of the work of creation.
Addendum: John 5:18b “Making Himself Equal with God”:
In context "equal with God" = Authority, not some Trini ontological statement;
The Sabbath was a divine prerogative and by claiming the right to work as God "always works," Jesus claims that same authority over the Sabbath, see NET Bible John 5:17 footnote.
Like Moses doesn't mean the same as Moses, Deuteronomy 18:18–19 (LSB)
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you… and I will put My words in his mouth… I Myself will require it of him who does not listen to My words.”
Christian Lawbreakers: Matthew 12:1-8
Jesus makes OT exceptions the new rule, Matthew 12:5;
And mercy (Hos 6:6) the new spirit-led standard over "the letter of the law."
All points to the deeper meaning found later in the NT, 1 Peter 2:
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession, so that you may announce the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
10 In time past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (Gal. 3:28; 6:16; Rev. 5:9-10).
The Core Paradigm Shift
Jesus had authority to break the Sabbath, and by extension so did his apostles.
This does not make them “sinners” or lawbreakers, because they were operating under a different covenant law.
Jesus was uniquely given mastery—ownership, aka lordship—of the Sabbath by God Himself.
It is this authority, not the act of breaking the Sabbath in and of itself, that explains his actions.
Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
New Covenant Implications
Under the New Covenant (subject to the Law of Messiah, 1Cor 9:21), Christians are no longer required to keep the Sabbath.
Read, Col 2:16-23: In other words, not just let no one tell you to observe sabbath but condemn you for not obeying God!
As a matter of fact Paul now regards keeping the Jewish calendar tantamount to gnostic-heresis!
These are all described as "elementary principles of the world" that enslave believers. The Jew-Gentile Gnostic Heresy – Kingdom Gospel
Summary
The Messiah uniquely exercised a new, divinely granted authority, thereby establishing the new covenant and granting his followers that same authority.
As a result, the strict requirement to observe the Sabbath was not merely being questioned or challenged but completely changed.
The church is now called to acknowledge Jesus, the Son of Man, as "lord even of the Sabbath" (Mar 2:28) the one who now holds authority over the day on which one rests.
Through this authority, all debates and fine distinctions about Sabbath keeping are brought to an end.
Baptism of Cornelius and his whole household.
Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 35 but He welcomes from every nation the person who fears Him and does what is right. 36 You know the Gospel-word which He sent to the Israelites, proclaiming the Gospel of peace through Jesus Messiah — he is lord of all."
