By Pastor Alex Ruelo
Mark 2:23-28 says, “One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!””
Jesus did many things on the sabbath. The story continues in Mark 3:1-6. It says, “Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.”
What is the sabbath? It is the day of rest. The Bible says so. In Genesis 2:2, it says, ““On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Some say the sabbath is a day to worship God. But the Bible itself says that it is a day of rest. The Hebrew word, “shabat” means “stop to rest.” Moses gave emphasis on this in Exodus when he told the Israelites to rest on the 7th day, just like God did.
Because of all of this, when the apostles of Jesus got the grain from the fields, they were criticized. When you look at it, they were somewhat right in their criticism. But inn Deuteronomy 23:25, it also says, “And when you enter your neighbor’s field of grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not harvest it with a sickle.” So technically, they were not breaking any law.
God really told man to rest. It will do you good.
Benefits of the Sabbath
It shows you’re worth more than what you do or produce. - You are more important than what you are doing. You wear out yourself when you do not rest.
It shows that you’re not enslaved by the world’s expectations. - Your work will take its toll on you if you do not rest.
It strengthsn your relationships and communities. - When you rest, you will have good relationships with the people around you.
It gives you time to assess, refocis and be present in this world. - If you do not rest, everything will be routine.
The Sabbath was made to serve you.
Why was the Sabbath made?
To celebrate God’s provision. Genesis 2:2 says, “On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” - You rest to conmect with others and enjoy God’s blessings.
To enjoy God’s presence. Exodus 20:8-10 says, ““Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.” - Think of anything and everything else but work.
To remember God’s promises. Expdus 31:13 says, ““Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” - Only God can make ypu holy; nothing and no one else can.
Did Jesus break any law? No. Because Jesus is everything.
Jesus is the law. Jehovah Shapat. John 5:22 says, “In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge.” - Jesus is your ultimate judge. If you are criticized here on earth, one day He will prove what is true.
Jesus is the healer. Jehovah Rapha. Isaiah 53:4-6 says, “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” - Because of His wounds, you are all healed from all your transgressions. Your spirit is alive because of His death on the cross.
Jesus is the sabbath. Jehovah Shalom. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” - Jesus is your rest. Go to Him and lay your head on His shoulder. He is your everything.
The greatest criticism of Jesus is the cross. The devil was happy because he thought that was it.
Philippians 2: 9-11 says, “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The name of Jesus is the name above all other names. In His name, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth. The name of Jesus should be celebrated. The people who criticized Him missed it. Jesus came for them, the Jews. But they did not recognize Him. If you are not yet convinced that Jesus is everything, you have to recalibrate. You are missing your whole life.
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