“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:1-2).
We can become so focused upon the law that we forget why it is there. The letter of the law sometimes overrides its purpose. If traffic is flowing five miles above the speed limit, it may be dangerous to go ten miles per hour under. The idea of the Sabbath is to rest. The Pharisees had to think hard on this one, so they weren’t resting. Who was breaking the heart of the Sabbath; someone eating, or the other out for blood?
The law was made for our sake. It is reality. We are to live in the boundaries that God has established, but always remember, they are for our well=being and not to beat up others. Between the law and grace is the place in which we live. It is the place of freedom. Live in the freedom our Lord grants and watch out for those who want to imprison you with a different kind of slavery.
Lord Jesus, teach me to live in the place where You grant freedom. Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You, I have this freedom. Lead me to be gracious and merciful to others when they do not do things the way I would do them. Teach me to stay within Your bounds and live the life You give freely with joy. Through all things, be the One who guides me into living as You would have me live. Amen.
