• New Testament Reading: Mark 2:1-3:6
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 119:9-16
• Points to Ponder

“Lord of the Sabbath”

Jesus was always doing and saying things that no one expected. At times, even his disciples were
amazed (and no doubt troubled) by his actions and his words. He was not afraid to challenge the
status quo or to upset those who held to their traditions over the word of God. He used these
situations as an opportunity to teach the truth about God’s commands.

It is so easy for us to do exactly what the Pharisees did -- get caught up in legalistically (or outwardly)
following the “letter of the law”, but miss its spirit (intent, purpose or meaning). The classic example
in the gospels is in regard to the Sabbath law -- a law created by God for the benefit of his people.
Jewish tradition made it a law that enslaved people. So many of the commands in the New
Testament are seen in the religious world as prohibitions that limit, instead of directives that
liberate. As we read and reflect on the commands of Jesus, let us see that they were made for us and
not vice versa.

• Questions to Consider: How do you see the commands of God? Are they limiting or
liberating? Do you truly believe that God’s commands were made for mankind, not mankind for
God’s commands?