Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 12:1-14), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Legalism was instituted by sinners as a pathway to feel good about ourselves, to redeem ourselves. The Pharisees were legalists – they wanted to “fix the world” through strict observance of God’s law, especially on the Sabbath. They were frustrated with Jesus because his disciples broke the Sabbath by harvesting. Legalists often condemn others for failing to keep the law. Do you recognize in yourself a legalistic instinct? The instinct to “relate” to God in a transactional way? The instinct to try to be able to render a favorable judgment about yourself? The instinct to condemn others for “doing it wrong”? What do you do when you encounter this instinct in yourself? What might be some other facets of a legalistic instinct? Why is it an instinct? Why is it an instinct common to sinners?

• Jesus doesn’t deny that his people have sinned, he doesn’t look to excuse them or justify their actions. Neither does he condemn them – he declares them “guiltless,” even though they are guilty. And he removes their condemnation by suffering it for them on the cross. His kingdom isn’t given to those who deserve it, it is given as a gift of his grace. Legalists hate Jesus for his mercy. What is your response to Jesus’ mercy and grace? Is there a part of you that opposes it, because you would like to be able to justify and judge yourself? How does Jesus’ declaration that you are guiltless change your relationship with God? the way you think about yourself? How does Jesus’ declaration that others are guiltless change the way you relate to them?

• Jesus is “the Lord of the Sabbath,” the Lord of Rest who delivers us from the way of legalism. On our behalf he has perfectly kept all God’s laws, something we could never do for ourselves. We are to come to God only by resting in the work of Christ – any other way means death, separation from God. The Sabbath is about remembering and celebrating his works of Creation and Salvation (“New Creation”). Do you conceive of the Sabbath as a day for strict rules, trying to keep God happy by doing the right things and not doing the wrong things? Or do you enjoy the Sabbath as a gift, a time for re-orienting yourself to the mercy and grace of Jesus? If you have children, how do you think they conceive of the Sabbath and what it means for their relationship with God? What aspects of the church’s worship are meant to remind you of God’s mercy and grace in Jesus? How can you try to help others, to remind and encourage them to find their Sabbath rest in Jesus?