Mark 2:23-28
The Sabbath was the most important day of the week in Jewish culture. It lasted from Friday night to Saturday night. The two highly revered things in Jewish culture were circumcision and the Sabbath.
Why was it a big deal? God commanded it (See the 4th commandment in Exodus 20:8-11). No one worked on that day. You must rest. Why? God rested when he created Earth. He didn't rest because he was tired. He rested because he was finished. God enjoyed the work that he created.
The Sabbath pointed to the divine order of the universe and God was serious about the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14-15). It's as if God was saying that if you don't rest, you'll die sooner. This is how we're designed. We'll die if we don't rest enough. How do I know if I'm keeping the Sabbath? Can I cook? Take a shower? Go outside? Drive?
This is where the Pharisees come in. They created many laws to make sure they weren't breaking the Sabbath. Here are some examples they had to follow on the Sabbath:
"You can't tie more than two knots on the Sabbath."
"You can't carry anything heavier than a dry fig."
"Don't sew more than one stitch."
"Don't write more than one letter."
"You can't walk more than 1,999 steps."
These laws and regulations were exhausting and burdensome. In verse 23, the disciples were plucking grains of wheat. In the next verse, the Pharisees called them out but there was a verse that vindicated them: Deuteronomy 23:24-25. This verse showed God's heart. He wanted NO ONE to go hungry. So if the disciples were innocent, what was wrong? They broke the Pharisees manmade laws. They couldn't charge the disciples with walking too many steps or they would have been just as guilty since they were there with them. The Pharisees charged them with working on the Sabbath. Jesus responds in verses 25-26 with a reference to a story in 1 Samuel 21. King David violated the same law but the Pharisees never criticized David because he was the king. Yet someone far greater than David was in front of them (Jesus) yet they didn't get it. The Sabbath belonged to God (verse 28) and Jesus was making a serious claim that he indeed was God (See also John 1:3).
Think of the universe. Jesus is saying that it all hangs on His power. The Pharisees can't accept it and want to kill Jesus. What does this mean for us? We are to rest from work and not be burdened by the Sabbath. It was supposed to be a blessing for mankind and it was also about peace and trust that God was in control of that day. There was no need to worry. Jesus said he was the source of rest and peace.
Matthew 11:28 tells us to come to Jesus. He will give you rest. Maybe you're restless and tired. Maybe you're worried about the future. Maybe you don't feel good enough, pretty enough, not rich enough, or not holy enough. You might have possibly been disappointed by people. Come to Jesus because he can only refresh you and give you unconditional forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross to give us rest. If you are restless, have anxiety, or fear, go to Christ and make him the center of your life.
Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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