Happy MLK day all, for those that had the day off, I hope you enjoyed it; for those that had to work, try and be thankful you have a job in these times of economic woe and want; for those that are looking for work, find time to be thankful for that which you do have.
Today's reading covers an invitation to come to Jesus as well as controversy over Sabbath law and Sabbath healing. Here are some notes:
JM notes that there was no reason for the Pharisees to be upset over the disciples picking heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath. Deut. 23:25 explicitly states that gleaning grain for the purpose of quelling hunger was permitted; harvesting for profit was forbidden; furthermore, the Sabbath itself was meant to give man rest and give God glory, it was never intended to be a yolk of burden to the people. The Pharisees had so twisted the law that the Sabbath now caused people more fear and nervousness than relaxation.
The same holds true for acts of mercy and healing. Jewish tradition held that the practice of medicine was forbidden on the Sabbath except in life threatening circumstances; however, no OT law forbade acts of mercy or healing.
Christ makes several claims of deity in this reading, including 11:26-27 and 12:6,8.
