Read Mark 2:23-3:6.
Jesus and His disciples were not stealing when they picked the grain. Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 23:25 say that farmers were to leave the edges of their fields unharvested so that some of their crops could be picked by travelers and by the poor. This was God’s welfare system for those in need.
Further, God’s law said that crops should not be harvested on the Sabbath (Exodus 34:21). This law prevented farmers from becoming greedy and ignoring God on the Sabbath. It also protected laborers from being overworked. The Pharisees interpreted the action of Jesus and His disciples (picking the grain and eating it as they walked through the fields) as harvesting, and so they judged Jesus a lawbreaker.
Jesus and His disciples clearly were not harvesting the grain for personal gain; they were simply in need and following God’s law in order to acquire the necessary food to sustain themselves.
The Pharisees were often so focused on the words and their man-made laws and traditions that they lost sight of God’s intent for the law as well as what was good and right in the sight of God. Jesus implied in Mark 3:4 that the Sabbath is a day to do good. God provided the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, but He didn’t mean that concern for rest should keep us from lifting a finger to help others.
In what ways can Christians today—like the Pharisees—miss the intent of God’s law while striving to learn from Jesus and follow Him faithfully as well as worship God the Father according to His revealed word?
How can we better learn to walk humbly in obedience to God without becoming legalistic and hard-hearted?
Read and scan Mark 1:1-3:6. Summarize the main things Jesus has revealed about Himself thus far.
I’m thankful for Jesus and the way He announced His kingdom to His world. Are you thankful? If so, your thoughts, speech, and actions will reflect it.
Trent Dean
dean008@gmail.com