Mark 2:23-28 Lord over Legalism

First Things: Devotions in Mark’s Gospel

Mark 2:23-28 Lord over Legalism

Mark 2:23   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.”

Jesus and His disciples are on their way somewhere, and as they walk along, they reach out in the field and strip the heads of grain off some of the stalks. They probably rub these heads in their fingers to free the grain from the husks, and then pop them into their mouths and munch for a while. And boy, are they in trouble.

The Jewish committee on Sabbath regulations had decided that this qualified as “work,” and, as everyone except Jesus knew, you weren’t supposed to work on the Sabbath. Jesus seemed to think that this did not apply to Him. He, after all, was the Anointed One, the Christ, the Lord. He was on mission, and nothing was more important than going where He was going, doing what He was doing, saying what He was doing. So, as is His way, Jesus tells a story.

He tells about David on a journey with his men (see the connection?). David is being hounded by Saul and his men (again, see the connection?), and he asks for the Bread of the Presence which was at the worship center, tended by Abiathar. Bread had been replaced, and the “old” bread was eaten by the priests. David, the anointed (as king, not yet enthroned), asks for the bread for himself and his men. Abiathar considers, and gives it. And every Jewish religious type would have to admit that it was the right thing to do, because, after all, it was David.

And so now, since these disciples are in the presence of Jesus, the mission rules, and the rules are interpreted in terms of the mission, not the other way around - the traditional rules do not cut the corners off the mission. This is a freedom that is afforded the Lord, Jesus, which He shares with His disciples. It is not a license to be used for purposes of laxity or self-indulgence, but for being on-mission with Jesus.

But what about the Sabbath? Yes, there is a Sabbath-principle - rest for the people of God, even as God Himself rested from His work in creation. But He didn’t rest until after creation was completed, and we don’t see Jesus rest until after redemption is completed. We ourselves rest in this redemption. We cease from our works of self-salvation. But we, as Jesus’ representatives on earth, are still charged with the mission of redemption - not the accomplishment of it, but rather the publishing of it, called evangelism, in word and deed. Through tireless efforts of love and service, of preaching and sharing, we seek to invite the world to rest in Christ. We look forward, then, to an eternal rest, even as we enjoy our redemption rest in the present. 

In the meantime, feel free to grab some food on Sundays, and maybe share it with someone as you share Jesus with them as well.