The David Spoon Experience 7-11-23 part 1

A) Matthew 12 makes it tough for us. The disciples were following the awaited messiah, but the Pharisees didn’t see it that way. To start with, it wasn’t a violation to “walk through” the grain fields. But as they were walking, they got hungry. That is still not a sign. But then they grabbed some wheat, broke their heads, and then started eating. Even at this point, an accusation is dicey because there was not technically harvesting grain.

B) This should be a warning tag for authentic believers. The Pharisees attacked with a “potential” technicality. Their complaints were spurred on by their trying to find fault with Jesus and thereby trying to find fault with His disciples. As it was then, so it is now. Unbelievers, the worldly, and the culture clubs of the current century are very similar to the Pharisees. If you break “their” perception of the rules, then you are the enemy and declared evil. And it is O. K. to do anything to those that are perceived as “evil.”

C) Here’s how Jesus handled it. He pointed to something that was much more of an actual breach than what the Pharisees were winning about. And in that much more severe incident, He justified the actions of David beyond the written Law. That is EXACTLY what Jesus did - like it or not.

D) Then Jesus took it to the next level. He showed that the Law was not breached because “on the surface,” it looked breached. But here is the kicker. Bill O’Reilly was fond of saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” BUT that is exactly what Jesus used to teach. He followed it by saying: Mercy is GREATER than sacrifice.