23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"
25 He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Walking on a path thorough a grainfield on a Sabbath morning the Lord’s disciples began picking heads of grain to fill their empty stomachs. This was a legitimate action according to Deuteronomy yet the Pharisees in their narrow focus viewed their deeds as breaking the Sabbath Law by reaping. The disciple’s were going against the explicit tradition of these elders. The Pharisees regarded Jesus’ guys as working and therefore breaking the Sabbath Law. Picky, picky, picky – the Pharisees delved so much in minutia they missed the Truth all together – fencing in the Law of the Sabbath with at least thirty-nine of their man made prohibited activities which included reaping grain. Their narrow interpretation of the Law blurred God’s intention – the spirit of the Law in respect to human need was a higher priority than ceremonial regulations – ritual observances must give way to moral obligations. I am reminded of Micah’s words regarding God’s requirements of His servants:
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Demanding an explanation of the disciple’s behavior the Pharisees were quick as well as smug to point out to the Lord what they presumed a trespass. As always, Jesus’ reply comes straight from Scripture. He reminds those pointing fingers of the actions of King David and his companion’s when eating the consecrated bread. This is an incredibly important point our Lord brings to light here through example – we must back up what we believe to be true – as that always effects our actions – with the Truth of God’s Word. Anything else is just an opinion – and who has authority or right to impose their opinion over another’s?
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
“Our claim is that God has revealed Himself by speaking; that this divine (or God-breathed) speech has been written down and preserved in Scripture; and that Scripture is, in fact, God’s Word written, which therefore is true and reliable and has divine authority over men.” John Stott
The Sabbath was established for man as a divine and sacred institution to be embraced as a most delightful benefit and privilege – never intending to be a chore or a drudge. Jesus tells us the Sabbath was made for man not man for it. It was a day set forth to replenish, restore, refresh and repair – who, may I ask, does not have a need for this? God has directed for man to rest from his work one day in seven which Jesus here affirms while all the while smashing the legalism the Pharisees had poured into its observance. Jesus states He is the Lord of the Sabbath which is a powerful statement pointing to the fact that He Himself is the source of the deep peace we desperately need.
“The word Sabbath means a deep rest, a deep peace. It’s a near synonym for Shalom – a state of wholeness and flourishing in every dimension of life. When Jesus says, ‘I am the Lord of the Sabbath,’ Jesus means that he is the Sabbath. He is the source of the deep rest we need. He has come to completely change the way we rest. The one-day-a-week rest we take is just a taste of the deep divine rest we need, and Jesus is its source.” Timothy Keller
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27 (NIV)
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)