Jesus went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath. As the disciples made their way, they were picking the heads of wheat. The Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look! Why are they breaking the Sabbath law?” He said to them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was in need, when he and those with him were hungry? During the time when Abiathar was high priest, David went into God’s house and ate the bread of the presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat. He also gave bread to those who were with him.” Then he said, “The Sabbath was created for humans; humans weren’t created for the Sabbath. This is why the Human One is Lord even over the Sabbath.” Jesus returned to the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Step up where people can see you.” Then he said to them, “Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they said nothing. Looking around at them with anger, deeply grieved at their unyielding hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did, and his hand was made healthy. At that, the Pharisees got together with the supporters of Herod to plan how to destroy Jesus. (Mark 2:23-3:6, CEB)
There is a whole thing with the Sabbath: what day it is and what we are supposed to do on it. I am old enough to remember Blue Laws. Where places of business had to be closed on Sunday because it was the day of rest. Even today there are laws in some states where car dealerships can not be open both days on the weekend. But is the Sabbath Saturday or Sunday?
There are a couple businesses I know of that I will not mention that I do not shop at that are closed on Sundays because they claim to be “Christian”. And therefore they can not be open on the day you are to go to worship. It is great they give their employees the day off to go to worship. I actually think that is a great thing. That does not make them Christian though. Going to worship doesn’t make you Christian, any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. And Sunday is not the day of rest or the Sabbath, it is the first day of the week when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples.
Saturday is the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the 7th day of creation and if we say Sunday is the first day, then Saturday is the 7th and the Sabbath. And on that day according to the law, you are to rest. You can not go more than .5 miles from home because you are only allowed to travel a mile that day. You can also not go by horse or donkey or car because that is working the animal/machine and that is not allowed. So why be closed on Sunday and not Saturday, if they are actually keeping the Sabbath then they should be closed on Saturday for that and Sunday so their employees can worship.
And yet, Jesus said the Sabbath was created for us. And we think it is something we have to do when in reality it is something we get to do. Even though most of us never do it, we need to rest. God created the whole cosmos in 6 days. and rested. So should we. We are not forced to rest but given the opportunity to rest.
And when it comes to helping people on the Sabbath that is not a way to get out of helping or saying the person or people need to come back tomorrow. We need to help. We need to heal. We need to love. Sabbath doesn’t stop that. Sabbath doesn’t prohibit that.
Love like Jesus and with right judgment love. Rules come second. Love comes first.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 