I recently had the privilege of speaking at Cedar Park Church in Delta, BC for their Sunday morning service (pre-recorded the day before). I am sharing the sermon video in this post.
How do we make things right in the world? Especially when Christians disagree on what is right? In this sermon, “Making Things Right,” I discuss Matthew 12:1-8 where Jesus teaches us that sometimes we have to break the rules to do the right thing. If we have ears to hear, Jesus shows us how to interpret and apply Scripture for our lives today.
Background Scriptures for this sermon (adapted from the NASB):
Hosea 6:4-6
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
For your loyal love (chesed) is like a morning cloud
And like the dew which goes away early.
Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets;
I have slain them by the words of My mouth;
And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth.
For I delight in loyal love (chesed) rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come to the LORD
And bow myself before the God on high?
Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
With yearling calves?
Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams,
In ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love loyal love (chesed),
And to walk humbly with your God?
Note: Matthew 12:8 says “The son of man is lord of the Sabbath.” What does that mean? Scholars have different theories. The phrase “son of man” is used in Scripture to refer to a human being. It is also sometimes used as a euphemism for Jesus as the Messiah. In Matthew 12, it appears Jesus is saying that human beings have authority to discern Sabbath practice. This would dovetail with how the Gospel of Mark tells the story when he says “The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath.”
Or if the meaning is Jesus as Messiah, then Jesus is saying he has authority to interpret the Scriptures in the method he is suggesting and encourages the religious leaders (and us!) to follow his example of exegesis and applying Scripture.
To see the entire service, see the Cedar Park Church YouTube video.