Scripture: Mark 2:23 – 3:6 (CEB)
23 Jesus went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath. As the disciples made their way, they were picking the heads of wheat. 24 The Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look! Why are they breaking the Sabbath law?”
25 He said to them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was in need, when he and those with him were hungry? 26 During the time when Abiathar was high priest, David went into God’s house and ate the bread of the presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat. He also gave bread to those who were with him.” 27 Then he said, “The Sabbath was created for humans; humans weren’t created for the Sabbath. 28 This is why the Human One[a] is Lord even over the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus returned to the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. 2 Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Step up where people can see you.” 4 Then he said to them, “Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they said nothing. 5 Looking around at them with anger, deeply grieved at their unyielding hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did, and his hand was made healthy. 6 At that, the Pharisees got together with the supporters of Herod to plan how to destroy Jesus.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Doug Moore
In Mark, we find a story of Jesus being tested by the Pharisees about the Sabbath. First, about picking and eating grain and second, about healing. In the first test, Jesus’ response is, “The Sabbath was made for Man, not man for Sabbath. So, the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
As far as the man with the shriveled hand which Jesus healed, I’m not sure the Pharisees didn’t plant him in the synagogue. Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil?” The irony is the Pharisees were plotting to kill Jesus on the Sabbath. Jesus was attempting to change the way the Sabbath was looked at. The fourth commandment is a blessing. It has two parts to it. First, it tells us this is a day of freedom, no work. Second, there is an obligation involved, the Sabbath must be kept holy. It is up to us to find the balance of freedom and obligation.
Prayer
Lord, You call us to set aside the Sabbath each week, acknowledging in our worship that You rule over our life and all its parts. Strengthen us in Your Holy Spirit, to balance our keeping of the Sabbath, the obligation to put You first in our living and the freedom to choose to do so with joy! In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.
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