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Matthew 12 – How To Establish Authority
Matthew 12 makes a good study in how to establish authority. Three essential truths found within the text is: 1) Authority is found within Scripture; 2) Scripture must be applied for it to have any meaning; 3) Truth can be found, understood and applied.
Authority is established by four means: 1) Command – You have the inherent command of the Sabbath to keep it holy; 2) Example – the example of David illustrating the guiding principle of mercy (v.3); 3) Example – the example of the priests illustrating higher and lower laws (vv.5-6); 4) Principle of Truth – the principle of mercy (v.7); 5) Necessary Implication – the right inference by Jesus about a man being more valuable than an animal (v.9-12).
Also found within this text is the wrong inference by the Pharisees as to what work was (v.2).
In the end, using principles, commands, examples, and inferences, the right conclusion was made. However, forgetting the principle (a common mistake), making wrong inferences (a common mistake), inconsistent examples (a common mistake), lead to confusion, condemnation, and ultimately crucifixion. Nowhere in the Bible do we find a nebulous command to love without divine instruction. In Matthew 12, Jesus does not reject the method that the Pharisees used. He rejected their conclusion. Both parties used the same components of understanding, but one used them properly – Jesus.
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