Jesus and His disciples walking through the grainfields

Have you not read the Bible?

Matthew 12:1-8

Pastor Mike Magnaye | Sowers For Christ Ministries Fellowship

Scripture Reading — Matthew 12:1-8

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.

2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.

5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

1

I

Introduction

2

Understanding the Question

Surprising Inquiry

Jesus asks Bible experts, not pagans:

"Haven't you read?"

Not once, not twice Three times He presses the issue:
The issue is not literacy It's understanding the Bible's intent.
It's not about possession But whether the Bible possesses you.

Understanding is key to true reading.

3

II

Who Were the Pharisees?

4

Religious Leaders

Pharisees Defined

Respected leaders, serious students of God's Word.

Knew the Torah Studied every verse carefully.
Committed to holiness And to doctrinal precision.
Loved Scriptures But missed God's intention behind them.
Knew the law But failed to recognize the Lord of the Law.

Knowledge without understanding leads to tragedy.

The Pharisees

The Pharisees were highly respected religious leaders in Israel. They were serious students of God's Word.

They knew the Torah.
They carefully studied every verse.
They developed detailed interpretations of the law.
They believed they were protecting God's commandments by creating additional regulations around them.

They were committed to holiness. Committed to tradition. Committed to doctrinal precision. Committed to religious observance.

The problem was not that they loved the Scriptures. The problem was that they loved their interpretation of the Scriptures more than God's intention behind them.

They knew the letter. But they missed the spirit.
They knew the command. But they missed God's heart.
They knew the law. But they failed to recognize the Lord of the Law standing before them.

It is possible to know Bible verses and still miss Jesus.

It is possible to know theology and still not know God.

It is possible to defend truth and still lose love.

That is the tragedy of the Pharisees.

5

III

Spurgeon's Thesis

"Have Ye Not Read?"

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) — English Baptist pastor of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle for 38 years, known as the “Prince of Preachers.” His printed sermons fill 63 volumes.

6

Reading vs Understanding

Spurgeon's Insight

Pharisees were great Bible readers.

Yet Jesus treated them as if they never read.

Reading words Is not the same as understanding meaning.
Goal of reading Is transformation, not just information.
Know God Not just Bible verses.
Missed the Author Despite knowing the text.

Understanding God's heart is essential.

7

IV

What Is Reading?

8

True Reading Defined

Reading Is Drinking

Drink from the source, not second-hand knowledge.

Know the Bible More than podcasts or quotes.
First-hand encounters Are vital for true understanding.

Engage directly with God's Word.

9

Engage Deeply

Reading Is Chewing

The Bible is meant to be savored.

Meditate and examine Slow down to ask important questions.
What is God saying? What does this reveal about Him and me?
How does this point to Christ? Dig deeper for understanding.

Slow reading leads to deeper insights.

10

Seek Hidden Treasures

Reading Is Mining

Scripture rewards diligent seekers.

Gold is buried Must be searched for and pursued.
Rich treasures Lie in difficult passages.
Jesus used Old Testament stories To reveal profound truths.

Diligence in reading uncovers truth.

11

Listen to the Author

Reading Is Listening

Seek to understand God's heart.

Not just counting words But understanding the message.
Ask, "Lord, what are You saying?" Engage with God's voice.

Listening leads to deeper relationships.

12

V

Practical Examples

13

Understanding vs Knowledge

Example 1: Wedding Vows

A husband knows vows but mistreats his wife.

Knows the words But misses the meaning.
Many Christians Know verses but fail to live them.

Knowledge without understanding is empty.

14

Seeing Beyond Rules

Example 2: Missing Mercy

Pharisees saw rules, Jesus saw people.

Criticism over compassion How often do we do the same?
Jesus desires mercy Not mere sacrifice.

We must see the heart behind the law.

15

Focus on Christ

Example 3: Missing Christ

Some know church details but miss Jesus.

Pharisees knew the Temple But missed the One greater than it.
Greatest danger Is overlooking Christ Himself.

All Scripture points to Jesus.

16

VI

The Heart of the Passage

17

Revelation of Jesus

Deeper Meaning

This passage reveals who Jesus is.

David, priests, Temple All lead to Jesus.
Climax is Jesus Not the law or tradition.

Everything in Scripture leads us to Him.

18

VII

Conclusion

19

Final Reflection

Understanding His Word

Pharisees read but did not understand.

Jesus asks us today "Do you understand My Word?"
Do you know My heart? Do you see Me in the Scriptures?

Seek to truly understand God's Word.

20

VIII

Call to Action

21

This Week's Challenge

1. Read the Bible DailyGo to the source yourself.

2. Read for UnderstandingAsk, "What does this mean?"

3. Read Until You Find ChristSeek a relationship with Him.

22