Matthew 12:1-8 | The Lord of the Sabbath

This sermon explores the first major confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees over Sabbath observance, revealing how religious legalism enslaves us while the gospel sets us free. When the Pharisees accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath by picking grain, Jesus responded by declaring Himself greater than the temple and Lord of the Sabbath. This passage confronts our tendency to earn God's favor through rule-keeping rather than resting in Christ's finished work. The implications for our spiritual life are profound: we must continually examine whether we're trusting in our performance or in Jesus' righteousness, recognizing that true spiritual growth comes not from trying harder but from abiding in Christ.