A reading from the gospel according to Mark 2:23-28:
23 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.
24 At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
25 He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?
26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”
27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
28 That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Reflection: The Sabbath was made for man.
The Sabbath or Sunday is a day reserved for worship. It is a special day to remember the Lord of creation and how He loved and saved us. It is also a particular day to rest after six days of working, studying or doing recreation. Now, who would not want to rest? In other words, Jesus is correct. Sabbath was made to benefit man, and not the other way.
Why would it be unlawful to look for food on Sabbath when one is hungry? Sometimes, when one has a closed mind, he is bound to say or ask foolish things. Yet, we don’t want to label the Pharisees as stupid. They were just too religious to become out of touch with reason. To them, observing the law is paramount. Never mind if it has become oppressive or heartless. Or perhaps, they just want to look for something to pin down the Lord. Jesus was not one of them and He does not compromise. Nor does he observe the law blindly as they do.
Let not the Sabbath or Sunday be a burden to us. No one should ever say that worshipping or resting every Sunday is a waste of time. On the other hand, no one should use or abuse the Day of Worship as an excuse to run away from doing unavoidable work like bringing a sick person to a hospital or saving a fallen animal (Matthew 12:11). After all, we worship God, not only on Sundays but every day and in all that we do.
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The gospel narrative provides a profound conversation about faith, freedom, and the very essence of what it means to be human. In this passage, Jesus shows us the proper interpretations of the Sabbath, reminding us that faith is not about blind adherence to rules, but about finding nourishment for the soul, even in unexpected places.
The Pharisees saw the disciples’ actions as a blatant violation of the law on the Sabbath. They were fixated on the letter of the law, blind to the human need that drove the disciples’ hunger. In contrast, Jesus saw beyond the legal technicality. He saw a need, a moment of vulnerability, and with characteristic compassion, he offered not condemnation, but understanding and grace. He responded to the Pharisees by reminding them of history and scripture. He mentioned the incident of King David, a revered figure in Jewish tradition, who, facing hunger during his flight from Saul, broke the sacred law by eating the showbread reserved for priests. This act is a violation of the law but Jesus saw it as an act of God’s providence. He goes further to declare that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” and that He is the “Lord of the Sabbath”.
Of course, Jesus does not endorse taking the law for granted. His message is, that being compassionate is more important than being legalistic. In today’s busy world where pressure from work and family combined with many rules and regulations truly make one weary and restless, this message resonates deeply to many people. Sunday, being the equivalent of the Sabbath, is a most welcome day for rest, for nourishment of the soul, and for connecting with something deeper than ourselves. Yet Jesus is telling us not to be too confined by the letter of the law. This means that we can find “a field of grain” in unexpected places at any time of the week in order to feed our hungry souls. Yet the truth is, if we have faith in Jesus to make Him the Lord of all our days, we can never be hungry and there is no need to wait for Sunday to rest and be satisfied.
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We find Jesus walking through grain fields with His disciples on the Sabbath. As they pluck heads of grain to eat, the Pharisees accuse them of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus responds by reminding them of an incident involving David, who ate the consecrated bread meant only for priests when he and his men were hungry. Jesus concludes with these powerful words: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
This passage offers a profound lesson about the heart of God and His purpose for His commandments. It reveals that the Sabbath, and by extension, God’s laws, are not burdens meant to stifle joy but gifts designed to nurture our relationship with Him and care for our well-being.
Rest as a Gift from God
In a world that glorifies busyness, the concept of Sabbath rest is a countercultural gift. The Pharisees missed this point because they focused on rigid rules rather than God’s intention behind the law. Their legalism turned a day of rest and worship into a day of stress and scrutiny.
God instituted the Sabbath to remind us that we are not defined by our work but by His love. It’s a day to pause, reflect, and reconnect with Him and with others. True Sabbath rest isn’t just about ceasing physical labor; it’s about finding rest for our souls in God’s presence.
Compassion Over Ritual
Jesus’ reference to David teaches us that human need takes precedence over ritualistic adherence to rules. God values compassion and mercy over religious formalities. How often do we prioritize rituals, traditions, or appearances while neglecting the weightier matters of love and kindness?
Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, models a life of compassion. He sees the needs of His disciples and permits them to eat, showing us that God’s laws are meant to serve us, not the other way around.
Rest in the Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus’ declaration that He is Lord of the Sabbath reminds us that ultimate rest is found in Him. In Matthew 11:28, He invites us, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
The Sabbath is a shadow of the deeper rest we have in Christ. Through His sacrifice, we are freed from striving for righteousness through works. In Him, we find rest for our souls — a rest that renews, restores, and sustains us even amidst life’s demands.
Living the Message
Let’s embrace the Sabbath as a time to prioritize what matters most: God, relationships, and rest. May we also reflect Jesus’ compassion, allowing love to guide our actions over rigid adherence to traditions.
As you reflect on this passage, ask yourself: Am I finding my rest in Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath? Let His invitation to rest transform your heart and bring you peace in the midst of life’s busyness.
Read further reflection on this passage here.
