Matthew 12:9-14        (Also found in Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11)

(9) And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: (10) and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. (11) And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? (12) How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. (13) Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. (14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 Here it is great to read all 3 accounts of this Story. In this instance it is clear that the pharisees are trying to trap Jesus into going against the law. We know from the Ten Commandments to remember and keep the Sabbath Holy. It was against the law to do any work, labor, etc. on the Sabbath. There even God ordering Moses to kill a man for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. (Numbers 15: 32-36) The one thing we have to remember is Jesus came to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17).  Jesus could clearly sense the Anger in the pharisees hearts when they asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus knew they were plotting against Him. The reason why Jesus used the story of the Sheep in this instance is to let them know probably in some way they have all in some way or fashion not kept the Sabbath "Holy”. Even in this instance of them plotting against Jesus is in fact not remembering and keeping the Sabbath Holy. And Jesus heals the man’s withered hand. The pharisees go and plot against Him to destroy Him.

Let’s look at this passage:

Mark 2

(23) And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. (24) And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? (25) And He said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? (26) How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? (27) And He said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

 Jesus has made it very clear that His work will be done on the Sabbath. If a miracle is needed, it will be done.

Interesting to hear your thoughts on this.

 One thought I have is in today’s society, you ever notice how people are so critical of Christians and their beliefs and always trying to point the finger or send accusations when they do something right or wrong. Jesus is like "I feel you pain”.