JESUS was always coming up against the criticism and opposition of the Pharisees. In fact the Pharisees represented the world which had infiltrated into the church. The problem with the world is that it always turns religion into a system of works. The way of works seeks to gain the favour of God through rules and regulations outwardly performed, without any regard for the condition of the inner person and of the heart. We have this represented here in these verses and in the verses to come from verse 9.

The criticism of the Pharisees arose over their legalistic view of the law to keep the Sabbath holy. In fact the world can't understand the true mean of God's law. For the world God's law is always turned into outward rules by which people gain favour before the Lord. In this case when the disciples were walking through a field of corn on the Sabbath, because they were hungry, they picked the corn and ate it. Jesus being with them did nothing to stop or rebuke them. In fact from verse 7 we can see that Jesus declared that the disciple's action in picking corn on the Sabbath was innocent of any breaking of the law. The Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pick corn on the Sabbath. To them it was forbidden, not so much by the fourth commandment, but rather the interpretation of this commandment by the Pharisees themselves. In fact the interpretation by the Lawyers was imperfect, and should never have been applied as definitive. Only Jesus had the right to change the law; however he did not come to destroy the law but fulfilled it.

Jesus countered the criticism of the Pharisees by pointing them to the Scriptures. His use of the Scriptures here show he accepted them as the Word and revelation of God, and having the authority of God. He says twice “Haven't you read” (v.3,5). He points to the fact David and his companions picked corn on the Sabbath to eat. He points to priests desecrating the Sabbath and yet being innocent. The word of God is always the first and last port of call in religious controversy because it is the word of God. For the Pharisees Jesus was using an argument which the Pharisees could not deny, if they were honest.

Jesus then plainly tells the Pharisees that their criticism was totally out of order for he was greater than the temple, and all the Jewish regulations and laws. If he was happy with his disciples in picking the corn, the Pharisees had no right to criticize. Jesus is most certainly referring to himself in verse 6. He confirms this revelation of himself by speaking of himself as the Son of Man who is Lord of the Sabbath, and this was because as the Christ he had total control over mankind as God and Lord.

Jesus also puts his finger on the ignorance and folly of the Pharisees in their understanding of the Scriptures.

Jesus points to the serious flaw in the Pharisees thinking and understanding of the law in verse 7. Jesus takes them to another Scripture in Hosea 6:6. In Hosea 6:6 we read the words of God through Hosea to sinful Israel. “For I desire mercy not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Israel in Hosea's day, as with the Pharisees in the time of Jesus, turned God's moral law and ceremonial law of sacrifices into a work by which they earned or merited or gained God's favour and blessing. They felt as long as they kept the law outwardly in a meticulous fashion they gained God's approval, and won his favour. They did not look at anything deeper than observance of outward practice.

With this view it did not matter how they lived because they were pleasing God by their ceremonial observances. In Hosea's day they lived unjust and idolatrous lives. In Jesus day the Pharisees had little love or mercy. They condemned others and praised themselves. Jesus called them 'whited tombs” - white on the outside but full of corruption within.

By this phrase “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” God was pointing out that offering sacrifices for atonement of sin were of no value unless there was true repentance in the heart and true sorrow for sin, and unless this repentance and sorrow was revealed as genuine by a humility before others, which was merciful to their sins, as they desired God to be merciful to theirs. Sacrifices pointed to the need of atonement for sin, and the need for another to take the punishment for sin in the place of the sinner, in order that the sinner may be forgiven and saved from the punishment their sin deserved. However sacrifice was of no value unless their was genuine acknowledgment of sin, and the deserving of condemnation, and the realization that mercy was all that could be pleaded for.

With regard to the Sabbath, God had not given the Sabbath as a rule to be kept to merit God's favour, but for a blessing. It was given so that time may be given to attend to the needs of the soul, and to seek God. It was a time laid aside by God so that people could seek God, worship him, learn his word and will, and so be able to glorify God in the world. The Sabbath was never meant to be a burden so that legitimate needs of life would be prevented, as long as these human needs did not interfere with the nurturing of the soul in the presence of God.

The Sabbath, or Sunday for us today, is a blessing which true believers welcome. The reason is that we hunger after God, and to dwell in his presence. We love to meet with the Lord and so we use this means of grace to meet with him, and hear his word, and giving him the worship and adoration which we long to, and which belongs to God.