1. Hungry disciples (1-2)

One Sabbath day Jesus' disciples plucked and ate some grain as they walked through the grainfields. The Pharisees, who were always busy trying to find something to criticize, rebuked Jesus for allowing his disciples to work on the Sabbath. Pharisees who only engage in criticism and nit-picking can never see the work of God.

2. Lord of the Sabbath (3-8)

Jesus taught them from the Bible about David, a great king and soldier who loved God and loved his men. He was not legalistic. Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the priests who worked on the Sabbath offering sacrifices in the temple. Then he told them who he was and why he had come. He did not come to make men religious. He came to show sinners God's mercy. If one does not know God's mercy and forgiveness, religious activities are meaningless. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, is the Messiah.

Application: Lord, thank you for understanding my weakness and showing me your mercy. Help me to show mercy.
One Word: God wants mercy, not religion