It is possible to perfectly follow the rules and be completely wrong. That is what the Pharisees encountered in today’s section of Mark. Like many rules and laws, it is easy to forget why a rule was created. What is its purpose? Why is it important? How is it kept? Mark gives us two events back to back where Jesus reveals Himself as Lord of the Sabbath.
“On the Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to make their way, picking some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry—how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the bread of the Presence—which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests—and also gave some to his companions?” Then he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”” (Mark 2:23–28, CSB)
The long-held rule was that harvesting was not done on the Sabbath. This goes all the way back to the wilderness and God’s provision of manna. In that time, they would gather six days out of the week. The provision on the sixth day was doubled and would not spoil overnight. And yet Jesus permitted His disciples to harvest, clean, and eat a bit of wheat. Why? As Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”
Man was not created to keep the Sabbath rules; the Sabbath was designed to benefit man. It provided rest and a break from labor. It created space to consider and worship God. But the Sabbath was never meant to harm or give permission to neglect the real needs of others. For instance, caregiving of animals, babies, and the infirm continues on the day of rest.
Jesus then boldly claims, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” This declaration continues Mark’s theme of Jesus, the Son of God. What Mark records next cements that declaration with a demonstration.
“Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a shriveled hand. In order to accuse him, they were watching him closely to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath. He told the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand before us.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger, he was grieved at the hardness of their hearts and told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against him, how they might kill him.” (Mark 3:1–6, CSB)
The cadence is similar to the healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof—a bold declaration followed by a demonstration of power. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. In these two events, He is resetting the purpose and tone of the Day of Rest. It is not a day of rigid lawkeeping, but a day where labor is minimized for the benefit of all.
At this point, the questions begin. What is permissible and what is not? Does the day matter? As soon as we try to answer those questions, we become lawmakers and fall into the same trap as the Pharisees. If you want answers to those questions, ask the Lord of the Sabbath. Ask Jesus.
The principle to apply is this, “For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” (Galatians 5:13, CSB) We have freedom in Christ to keep the Sabbath, whether that means a respite from labor to gather in worship, doing good, and/or meeting the immediate needs of others.
- Mark: Lord of the Sabbath - May 14, 2025
- Mark: Old and New - May 12, 2025
- A Prepared Place - May 7, 2025
