Slices
Prepare
What is on your to-do list today? As you come to God now, ask him to help you to lay those things down, so you can rest in his goodness while you focus on him.
Bible passage
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the cornfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some ears of corn. 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 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.’
Explore
When you think of the term ‘Sabbath’, what comes to mind? Maybe things like shops being closed on Sunday, going to church, resting, rules…
The people at the time of Jesus had forgotten that God had given the Sabbath as a day of rest to humanity (v 27), as a reminder that God the Creator is in control of all things (Genesis 2:2,3). He is the source of our provision and rest, and it is important for us to be able to exist beyond and outside of our labour (Exodus 20:8–11). Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote: ‘Unless one learns how to relish the taste of Sabbath … one will be unable to enjoy the taste of eternity in the world to come.’*
Jesus is King of his kingdom and is Lord of the Sabbath (v 28). When we participate in Sabbath, we switch out of ‘work mode’ and get to enjoy God’s good gifts to us. And, as we get a foretaste of what life eternal in the kingdom is like, we ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8).
* Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, 1951
Respond
When was the last time you took a ‘proper’ Sabbath – turned off the phone and emails, spent time with loved ones doing what brings you joy (cooking, reading, films, walks, DIY…)? Try it!
Deeper Bible study
‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.’1 Meditate on this verse.
The Pharisees continue to be antagonistic towards Jesus. Today we see them object to the disciples’ plucking ears of grain and rubbing them between their fingers.2 In their view this broke the commandment not to work on the Sabbath, for they counted this activity as reaping and threshing grain. Jesus countered their argument by reminding them that when David fled from Saul he broke religious law too, the law which forbade anyone other than a priest from eating the loaves of bread.3 Scripture records this incident but does not criticise David for his actions, the implication being that appeasing his hunger and that of his men was more important than adhering to the rules.
Jesus argues that in a similar way people’s needs take priority over the Sabbath regulations of the Pharisees: he argues that the Sabbath was created to benefit us, not weigh us down with laws that prevent us from helping others. Indeed, we read elsewhere of how frustrated Jesus got when the Pharisees condemned him for healing on the Sabbath.4
The principle Jesus presents has relevance for more than how we keep the Sabbath. Jesus prioritised the needs of people and refused to let rules, regulations and traditions get in the way of that. What would Jesus say, for instance, about objections to a food bank in church because it spoils the aesthetics; or opposition to a crèche because it creates noise in the service; or reluctance to create a disabled access because changes will need to be made to much-loved parts of a church building? Can you think of any ways this principle may apply to any decisions you are involved in? Let’s pray that Jesus’ love for those in need may be the dominating principle in our lives.
Pray for any situations known to you where there is conflict or disagreement over a way forward in church. Pray that God’s love and his priorities will prevail.
1 Lam 3:22 2 Luke 6:1 3 1 Sam 21:1–6 4 Mark 3:1–6; Luke 13:10–17; Matt 12:9–14; John 7:23
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 37,38; Hebrews 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Local Mission Partner Christian Links in Keighley Schools has been without a worker for some time. Please pray for God’s direction in appointing an effective and committed worker to work in the schools of Keighley.
