Picking on the Sabbath (Hunch 21)
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields and his disciples began picking of heads of grain as they walked along. The Pharisees said, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He answered, “You obviously have not read about what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need in the days of Abiathar the high priest. That's when he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath. And the Son of Man is even Lord of the Sabbath.”
In a Nutshell
Once again Jesus was under attack. The religious leaders wanted
to control people by controlling the day God gave for rest. Jesus reminded them
how God provided for David when King Saul's soldiers were seeking to kill him.
God's Sabbath is a gift yo us to share in His creation.
Questions
Why does Jesus talk about the special holy bread?
What's that got to do with keeping the Sabbath?
Instead of telling these jealous and bitter religious leaders how they too were breaking their own Sabbath rules, Jesus reminded them of God's provision. King David and his men ate the bread put aside by the priest for sacred purposes. That demonstrated how God is concerned for us in our need. In the same way the Sabbath is given to us to help us experience God's care for us.
The Pharisees had thought they had trapped Him, because He wasn't teaching His disciples to fast, like John the Baptist. He explained that God was throwing a party - God's own Son would be decorated in a completely new marriage outfit and toasted with the new wine of God's Kingdom. But they just didn't get it. And it seems they didn't want to. Because here they were at it again; this time out in the open air. This time they complained to Jesus that His disciples were working on the Sabbath. They had actually been seen picking corn or wheat as they walked through the grain fields.
No doubt you will have already noted that they hadn't waited until the next day to ask Jesus about it. No, it might have been the Sabbath but they had to get to work; what they said showed they were hard at work even though it was the Sabbath. And Jesus didn't say "You are too!" He didn’t play tit for tat. Instead, He explained how God looks after us in special ways, when we are in need. Mark tells us that Jesus enjoyed the Sabbath. By enjoying God's gifts to us we keep the gifts and ourselves holy. It is the special day when we receive what God loves to give to us. The day of rest is all part of the way our heavenly Father provides for all our needs. We can rely on God all the time; He is not just any old god but He is our Creator, the One who keeps on doing what needs to be done to make sure everything is set up just right, for us. That's why Jesus assumed our life is one long "Thankyou!" for the gifts our Heavenly Father sends us. The day of rest is ours to enjoy. And it is certainly not the day to pretend; it's not the day to fake doing nothing as if such pretending gives you extra points with God. The Pharisees certainly forgot that God sees everything. And rest is a positive gift, a special creation, which Jesus loved to share with His disciples and any others who rocked up. Now you've got it, enjoy it and explore the different ways you can enjoy it!
Sometime talk to a wheat farmer and ask what they do about the day of rest in harvest time. That's an important issue and many people are troubled by it, especially these days where everyday seems to be a day to go to the shops. Who works on Sunday? Ask the farmers about this. See what they say. And then think about what you do on the day of rest? How do you break out of your regular 6 day routine to enjoy the wonders of God's provision? Sport? Shopping? Church? Special family treats? Visiting friends? Remember this story when you begin to wonder about God's law. It tells us how Jesus sees us. Read the whole chapter slowly again.