Read Mark 2:23-28
YOU CAN’T DO THAT ON THE SABBATH!
Today, in our world, Sunday is typically our Sabbath day. Back in the days of Jesus the Sabbath was Saturday. One day Jesus and his disciples were walking on the Sabbath and came upon a grain field and began to pick heads of grain and eat them. Pharisees saw them and accused them of breaking the law of the Sabbath. They weren’t breaking God’s laws but they were breaking man-made laws which said no one is allowed to reap, or pick, heads of grain on the Sabbath.
Jesus responded by referencing King David’s actions when he entered the house of God because he and his companions were hungry. They ate the consecrated bread that was unlawful for anyone to eat, except the priest. Jesus was making a point that human needs and God’s Grace supersedes man-made rules.
Jesus made the comment in verse 27 that “The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath.” In other words, the Sabbath was never meant to be a burden to God’s people. If there’s a need on the Sabbath, God, in his mercy and compassion, wants to meet that need. If someone is hungry on the Sabbath, then let’s feed them. Jesus demonstrated this mercy and compassion other times when he healed people on the Sabbath.
Today we celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. It’s a great opportunity to rest, to fellowship with one another, and worship our Lord together.
However, if my farmer friend called me on Sunday and said his cow is stuck in the fence, requesting my help, I would help him. I wouldn’t tell him to wait till Monday.
Verse 28: Jesus said, “The Son Of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” If the Pharisees knew who Jesus really was, they would know he could do whatever he wanted on the Sabbath because he created the Sabbath. His motives will always center around love for others and for God’s glory.
Lord, help me be like Jesus and show this kind of love and compassion, even on the Sabbath.
