Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Today we really got a glimpse into why Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic

Gospels.

We read a lot of the same stories through three different lenses.

First, we read about another time when the Pharisees accused the disciples of breaking

the Sabbath, and Jesus uses it as an opportunity to teach them something important.

As he often does, he teaches using imagery and parallels.

He points out that while the temple is important, there's something more important than the

dwelling place of God.

Namely, God Himself, and He's like, by the way, that's me, I'm Him.

Then He continues the comparison along these lines.

Sacrifice is important, but there's something more important than sacrifice, namely mercy.

The point He seems to be making with all of this is that the law is important, but there's

something greater than the law, the God who made the law.

And in this instance, He made that specific law to serve the people.

So even the needs of the people are greater than the law of the Sabbath.

The law at large shows us our brokenness and our need, and it points out what righteous

living looks like.

And that's important, but the law never terminates on itself.

It points to Him.

And what the Pharisees have done is misinterpreted and misapplied God's law.

They've twisted it into a version that no longer points to Him and His heart.

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