Friday 5 July 2024

Psalm 8

Background
The Sabbath is a holy day of rest and for the Jewish people falls on Saturday. It was established by God during the ministry of Moses, and is given in the fourth commandment. We can read it in two slightly different forms in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. But the reasons given for the Sabbath in Exodus and Deuteronomy differ: the first is because God rested on the seventh day of creation (and we are to do likewise), and the second is because God’s people are to remember that they were once slaves in Egypt, but God set them free. The Sabbath is clearly a gift that people have found hard to understand or difficult to keep.

The Sabbath has always been a controversial topic and one which the teachers of Jesus’ day (including the Pharisees) used as a test of authenticity. It was a frequent point of contention between Jesus and his opponents. We can find similar stories to today's Bible passage in various parts of the gospels (eg Matthew 12:1-14, Luke 14:1-6).

Jesus did not seem to hesitate when it came to healing people on the Sabbath and we could say that he took quite a liberal view – perhaps wanting people to follow the spirit of the law rather than the letter. It could be that he felt he had a special authority (as he says: “The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath” Mark 2:28), but I find it difficult to think that Jesus would insist on one rule for himself and another for everyone else.

This story takes place in the context of worship in the synagogue, when Jesus was apparently the ‘visiting preacher’. The disabled woman does not ask to be healed, she simply appears, and Jesus calls her over and issues a command of healing. After Jesus lays hands on her, she straightens up and praises God. Cue anger and indignation from the synagogue leader – shocked that such a thing was done so publicly in his place of worship. Notice how the leader criticises the woman (who did not ask for it) by addressing the crowd, rather than turning on Jesus. These wonderful little details give the whole story a ring of such authenticity. When Jesus responds, perhaps angrily, he points out the hypocrisy that some kind actions are allowed (untying the donkey) and others are not. The people respond in amazement, praising God.

Ironically, the synagogue leader was presumably ‘working’ on the Sabbath. But some duties have always been allowed by religious communities – especially when it comes to enabling God’s people in worship. It comes down to how we understand remembering the sabbath and keeping it holy. Notice how Jesus emphasised ‘setting free’ (verses 12 and 16, and the example of untying the donkey). I would suggest he believed that the Deuteronomy version of the commandment gave the best reasoning: God’s people are free! They shouldn’t be bound like slaves to constant work or any kind of oppression. The Sabbath day is a gift for God’s glory to be known!

To Ponder:

• How would you feel as a worshipper in the synagogue on that particular Saturday? Would you be confused, angry or rejoicing with the crowd?
• Reflect on how attitudes towards the Christian sabbath of Sunday have changed over your lifetime. What has been lost, and what gained?
• When might rules be challenged in order to meet a greater need or purpose?

Bible notes author: The Revd Andrew Murphy
A Methodist presbyter in the East Mercia Circuit, Andrew is currently the minister of the churches of Harborough, Kibworth and Daventry. Married to Emily, with two children, aged eight and ten, he has been in the ministry for 16 years, previously serving in the Hinckley Circuit. He trained at the Wesley Study Centre in Durham, is a published hymnwriter, supports Newcastle United FC, and is proud of his roots in Consett, County Durham.