The Sabbath---Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath

At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."...Matt 12:1-2 Jesus then points out old testament examples of others doing quote "labor" on the Sabbath. He then says, verse 8 "For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"
The Pharisees ask a question, "Is it legal to work by healing on the Sabbath day?" Jesus heals the man with the withered hand and says "Yes it is right to do good on the Sabbath." verse v.12b. The Sabbath...I love how God rested on the 7th day. He saw all that He had made and it was good and He set apart a day of rest....
People have been arguing over what it means to respect and honor the Sabbath and keep it as a holy day forever. How ironic that God who instituted the Sabbath is now being accused of breaking the Sabbath.
I noticed today in the One Year Bible NLT reading that the disciples ate grain. These were 12 men. I would hardly consider their eating a snack "harvesting grain" yet the Pharisees were soooo religious that they considered this act "breaking the Sabbath." How sad. These Pharisees knew so much about God but were so far from Him. They thought God was a God of law and order and any deviation made you evil. Their religion was completely outward. Jesus changed all of this! Jesus said, "the Son of Man is LORD even of the Sabbath."
I find this reminder refreshing! We are under grace. Yes of course we need to rest on the Sabbath. Yes of course we should honor God by going to church, enjoying corporate worship, giving our offerings, and taking the day off from work on the Sabbath. But what about the rest of the week? I believe God in His love, grace, mercy and wisdom knew the human condition was such that we will work ourselves to the bone. When I was in law school I would get so consumed with my studies I would sometimes stay up all hours and forget to eat. Is this healthy? No! I would often get sick after finals...it caught up to me. I needed rest. God who created us knows we need rest. The Sabbath is a day of rest, physically, and a day of refreshment spiritually.  But God knows us. Jesus knew us fallen sinners would change His original intent of the Sabbath...a day of rest and a day to set aside for Him as holy. I love how the NLT translates this, "Yes it is right to do good on the Sabbath." Jesus reminds us that it was never about religion. It was never about reguations or regulating behavior. It is right to do good on the Sabbath. God wants all of us, not just one special token, insincere ritual. I love wha Keith Green sings, "To obey is better than sacrifice...I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights..." God wants us to rest IN HIM. He is LORD of the Sabbath. He is the one who gives rest to our weary souls.I love Jesus and the way He constantly "sets things straight." Rest in Jesus for He is the LORD of the Sabbath....