What Jesus Did! 'Witness to Hostile People' — Matthew 12:1-2

Friday, May 30, 2025

At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."
— Matthew 12:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Legal loop holes are one thing, but a political and legal pothole is another. The Pharisees were looking to harm Jesus and hurt his growing ministry. They were looking for a political issue to damage Jesus' popularity, and they were looking for a religious noose so they can hang him on some theological issue. Jesus lived all of his life under public scrutiny. In many ways, most of us do, too. So let's live our lives in a way that honors Christ's example of character that was unwavering even in the face of unjust criticism such as that in today's verses.

Today's Prayer

O Lord Almighty, as I live my life before others in witness to your mercy and grace, forgive me when my example is not what it should be and mature me to be more like Jesus in my personal and public life. In the Lord Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Give God Your Best and Don't Look Back
Article by David Smith
Give God your best gift; not sacrifice, but mercy! We are often tempted to focus on the gift that is costly, but not greatest, when often the greatest gift that is needed is mercy.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 12:1-2 NLT — "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, May 30, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Alive in Christ' (Ep. 2:4-5)
"Dear Father, ruler of heaven and earth, When you raised up Christ, you raised me out of my dead state as well. You set me on a throne of honor with....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Kind of Worshipers the Father Seeks'
"[Jesus said,] "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Study God’s Word and Will Wholeheartedly'
"I will take pleasure in your laws and remember your words. Treat me with kindness, Lord, so that I may live and do what you say. Open my mind and let...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Navigating Political Minefields'
"Dear Precious One, Each of My disciples is precious to Me. I hate for any of them to have to go through unfair trials and difficulties...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!