Hilary returned to the university this morning. Later in the evening, he called to tell us his graduation result. He obtained a second class honour upper (division one?). Congratulations, son! Wulstan stayed home the whole day. He takes up the responsibility to babysit his father and his younger brother. Erminia and Saturnia flew off to Paris, the first leg of their pilgrimage. The day whiles off peacefully.
Today, we read Isaiah 38, the story of God extending the life of king Hezekiah for fifteen more years. It contains a hymn by Hezekiah while he had fallen sick to the point of dying. The other details, such as the fig cake and the shadow of the sun going back 10 steps, agree with 2 Kings 20.
Matthew tells the story of Jesus' disciples plucking the heads of grain on Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8). It contains more Jewish details than the story recorded in Mark. First of all, both contain Jesus' defence with the story of David eating the bread of Presence. Then, Matthew supplies us with the law of priests offering the burnt sacrifice on Sabbath.
On the sabbath day two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a cereal offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering:
this is the burnt offering of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt offering and its drink offering (Numbers 28:9-10)
However, Matthew seems a bit unfair in passing judgment on the offering the burnt offering on Sabbath.
Or have you not read in the law how on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? (Matthew 12:5).
How could Matthew say that offering the burnt sacrifice profanes the Sabbath?
If we check the book of Numbers, we find the mention of Sabbath on two places: Numbers 15 and Numbers 28. Numbers 15 tells of a regrettable story of a man being stoned to death because he gathered sticks on Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36) Work was forbidden on Sabbath. Executing a man who gathered sticks on Sabbath shows the seriousness of keeping Sabbath. For us modern men, it is impossible to carry out. Had God enforce this law, many people would have died.
Numbers 28 seems to establish an exception to the law. Priests were allowed to work, to offer the burnt sacrifice on Sabbath. Therefore, offering sacrifice, worshipping God on Sabbath is appropriate. This seems reasonable because the ultimate purpose of Sabbath is to put away our work so as to spend time improving our relationship with God. We have spent six days to work and to focus on ourselves. It is reasonable to spend one day to mend fences with our God. So, Matthew was rather anti-Jewish in describing the priests' offering as profaning.
Now, Matthew quotes a passage to show us a more desirable action than sacrifice: mercy.
And if you had known what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7). Actually, Matthew has quoted this passage earlier on when Jesus defended his dining with tax-collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:13).
There are three quotations from the Old Testament which tell us that some actions are more desirable than offering sacrifice: obedience (1 Samuel 15:22), mercy (Hosea 6:6) and righteousness (Proverbs 21:3).
At first sight, plucking the heads of grain is unrelated to righteousness. It was provided for in the O.T. laws.
When you go into your neighbor's standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain (Deuteronomy 23:25).
Such an action was not stealing as we understand it nowadays. There was no Social Welfare Department in ancient time and the poor and needy had to be taken care of. Such laws are merciful indeed. Taking care of the poor and needy was an act of righteousness. Therefore, the action of Jesus' disciples actually satisfied the law. Allowing them to do so satisfies the requirements of mercy and righteousness. However, the Pharisees missed this opportunity of mercy and righteousness. Instead, they criticized Jesus. They did not allow such action. In doing so, the Pharisees failed to satisfy the requirement of mercy and righteousness. They were experts and learned men. Yet very often, they were too eager to pick on the mistakes of others and applied their expertise in persecuting the others.
My dear Advocate, help me nurture mercy in my heart. Grant me enough courage to stand up for those unfairly treated. Allow me to lead a life of virtues. Amen.
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