By Andrew Williams – May 5, 2022
One Sabbath He was going along beside the fields of standing grain, and as they made their way, His disciples began to pick off the grains. [Deut. 23:25.] And the Pharisees said to Him, Look! Why are they doing what is not permitted or lawful on the Sabbath? And He said to them, Have you never [even] read what David did when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were accompanying him?– How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was the high priest, and ate the sacred loaves set forth [before God], which it is not permitted or lawful for any but the priests to eat, and [how he] also gave [them] to those who were with him? [I Sam. 21:1-6; II Sam. 8:17.] And Jesus said to them, The Sabbath was made on account and for the sake of man, not man for the Sabbath; [Exod. 23:12; Deut. 5:14.] So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
Mark 2:23-28 AMPC
Good morning fellow disciples.
Have you ever been in the situation where persons have told you that you can’t do something because it’s not permitted by God? Have you examined the scriptures for yourself and realized that what they were saying to you was not true?
Religious person sometimes hold the doctrines of their Church in such high regard that they don’t realize that what they are teaching is not biblical. It may sound as if it is the Word of God, it may actually be written in the Bible, but their interpretation of what is written is wrong.
They take out of context what the Word of God says and use their interpretation to keep people under bondage.
This was a situation in this passage. However, Jesus reminded the Pharisees that they weren’t made to serve the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for their purpose. It was a time to spend fellowshipping with God. It was a time to rest from their six days of work and for them to spend quality time with their families.
The Pharisees focus was on obeying what they thought God wanted them to do instead of doing what God told them to do. I hope you see the difference! Their misguided focus placed a heavy burden on the people instead of allowing them to freely serve God and to fellowship with their families. Their misguided focus caused the people to focus more on obeying laws than being obedient to God.
Do you feel as if you are in a similar situation today?
Ask God to give you the proper interpretation of scripture.
Ask Him to give you the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding through His Holy Spirit who lives in you.
Finally, stand up to religious persons the way that Jesus did by using the Word of God.