Lord of the Sabbath

Summary

Much of the Jews’ antagonism toward Jesus centered on their view of the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was peculiarly important to the Jew.  Just as circumcision marked him as a son of Abraham, so the Jew’s practice of the Sabbath evidenced their relationship with God’s law.  The Sabbath was the 4^th commandment given to Moses.  The Jews had created hundreds of laws to protect them from breaking this commandment. Intended as a gift to bless men, the Jews turned it into a law to curse them.  The Jews are only concerned with external performance.  Jesus challenges their interpretation of Scripture by declaring His ministry to be greater than temples, and Himself greater than the Law. Instead of embracing the “rest” found In Him, the Jews plan His destruction.

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