Lord of the Sabbath: Mark 2:23-28
“23) And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24) The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25) And He *said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26) how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27) Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28) So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”” Mark 2:23-28
Jesus and His disciples were under constant scrutiny. On this occasion, they were taking a Sabbaths day’s journey and the disciples were picking and eating some heads of grain as they traveled. That irritated the Pharisees.
Though not mentioned in the text, that meant the Pharisees were also traveling on the Sabbath and on duty as critics. They failed to use the Sabbath for its intended purpose. By their actions as self appointed Sabbath police, they themselves failed to keep the Sabbath. But such is the hypocrisy of critics, they excuse themselves of the very things for which they condemn others.
Jesus had two replies. First, he pointed to David who ate the consecrated bread. How could David eat the consecrated bread and remain innocent?
The answer is that David had been anointed as king by Samuel. He was not an ordinary man. The anointing of kingship was upon him. He was in an office higher than that of Abiathar the priest! His actions pointed to his identity.
The same principle was true of Jesus in this story. As Creator, He ordained the Sabbath. He was Lord of the Sabbath. His actions pointed to His identity! The Pharisees observed what was happening but missed the intended object lesson!
Such is the fate of critics. They are blinded by their own bias and condemnations. They totally missed the significance of what they were observing. The Lord of the Sabbath was right in front of them… and they sat as His judge rather than His admirers.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“23) And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24) The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25) And He *said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26) how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27) Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28) So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”” Mark 2:23-28
Jesus and His disciples were under constant scrutiny. On this occasion, they were taking a Sabbaths day’s journey and the disciples were picking and eating some heads of grain as they traveled. That irritated the Pharisees.
Though not mentioned in the text, that meant the Pharisees were also traveling on the Sabbath and on duty as critics. They failed to use the Sabbath for its intended purpose. By their actions as self appointed Sabbath police, they themselves failed to keep the Sabbath. But such is the hypocrisy of critics, they excuse themselves of the very things for which they condemn others.
Jesus had two replies. First, he pointed to David who ate the consecrated bread. How could David eat the consecrated bread and remain innocent?
The answer is that David had been anointed as king by Samuel. He was not an ordinary man. The anointing of kingship was upon him. He was in an office higher than that of Abiathar the priest! His actions pointed to his identity.
The same principle was true of Jesus in this story. As Creator, He ordained the Sabbath. He was Lord of the Sabbath. His actions pointed to His identity! The Pharisees observed what was happening but missed the intended object lesson!
Such is the fate of critics. They are blinded by their own bias and condemnations. They totally missed the significance of what they were observing. The Lord of the Sabbath was right in front of them… and they sat as His judge rather than His admirers.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
