The Disciples Gather Wheat on the Sabbath

Bible Study Lesson from Mark 2:23-28

 

24 The Pharisees said to him, 'Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?'

 

25 He answered, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

 

26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he (David) entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.'

 

27 Then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

 

28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.''"

Jesus talks about working on the Sabbath

By first reading this passage, you might get the impression that Jesus and his disciples were picking the grain without permission or were trespassing. But, in reality, it was customary for farmers to leave the outside rows of their wheat fields unharvested especially to feed travelers and the poor.

Breaking the Law

So, what law was being broken? According to Exodus 34:24 crops should not be harvested on the Sabbath in order to keep farmers from worshiping God on this holy day which was set aside for rest.

The Pharisees were masters of "majoring in the minors" when it came to interpreting the law and sought out every small misdemeanor as reason to apply the laws to others; especially when these "crimes" involved Jesus.

Were the Pharisees Bad People?

Not all but they were thorough. They (Pharisees) had the noblest of intentions when interpreting the law. But, many times they completely missed the point. They were so caught-up in the laws of the Sabbath that they ignored the true meaning of why the law was created.

Jesus completely understood the true meaning of the Sabbath. He confirmed that the Sabbath was made in order for us to rest, to be physically & mentally restored, and to talk to God.

I feel that we, in many ways, are like the Pharisees; sometimes eager to point out wrong doings of others in order to hide our own shortcomings (Matthew 7:4).

As Christians, let's be careful not to apply God's laws to other people unless we understand them ourselves. Even then, let's use what we know to gently nudge; not to chastise others.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Mark 1:21-45 - Jesus Teaches and Heals with Authority