Wednesday 23 October 2024
Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath." (v. 27)
Background
Even by this relatively early point in his short and urgent gospel, Mark has established that Jesus was proclaiming and living a radically new way of relating to God and being a person of religious faith.
Jesus was challenging so much conventional wisdom and religious tradition that the scribes and Pharisees were seriously critical. Already there have been several incidents. They were particularly concerned about Jesus’ willingness to sit down with 'sinners' such as tax-collectors, to pronounce the forgiveness of sins (linked with healing), and not to fast in the way a seriously religious person was suppose to do. In today’s passage, yet another subject arises: Jesus’s attitude to the Sabbath (the day of rest).
As with the previous issue about fasting (verses 18-20), it is the behaviour of Jesus’ disciples that provokes criticism: they have been plucking ears of corn as they walked through a field on the Sabbath day. This is arguably a more serious matter than the previous conflict over fasting. That was about a practice only certain specially pious people followed; observing the Sabbath on the other hand was the law for all Jews. The disciples had been doing something which was forbidden. (The next incident, in tomorrow’s passage – 3:1-6 – also concerns the Sabbath.)
Observance of the Jewish Sabbath was a very important and contentious issue for the early Christians, who were a mix of Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentile) believers. Gentiles would not have followed Jewish law and found in these stories in Mark's Gospel confirmation that this was alright. Jewish converts, however, were either torn on the point or resolute that the Sabbath should still be observed.
Plucking a few ears of grain while walking through a cornfield was acceptable (see Deuteronomy 23:25); it was doing so on the Sabbath which was wrong according to the Pharisees. Reaping was among the activities specifically defined as 'work' which was not allowed on the Sabbath. Whether this extended to taking a few ears is unclear, so the story may reflect the rigorous interpretation of the law, which was a mark of the Pharisees.
Jesus responded to the challenge by a reference to the scriptural story of King David breaking some rules about eating sacred bread (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The implication is that meeting human need trumps Sabbath regulations. In verse 27 Jesus says the Sabbath is made for humankind not vice versa, which can be seen as an affirmation of the Sabbath, the real purpose of which is to provide rest and refreshment. Verse 28 extends the point, emphasising the lordship of Jesus, a claim Mark wrote his gospel to establish.
To Ponder:
- How important to you is Sabbath rest? How do you observe the Sabbath, if at all?
- Which moral or other teaching of the Christian Church should all Christians obey, and which is optional?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for Sabbath rest. May it always be received as a gracious gift, not an oppressive rule to be imposed on others. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Alan Bolton
Alan Bolton is a supernumerary presbyter in the High Wycombe Circuit, having sat down in 2018. He preaches regularly round the Circuit and edits the ministerial obituaries for the Conference. His other occupations are family, music, model railways, walking and reading, with a close interest in politics.