The Sabbath Was Made for Man

Main Point: Jesus knew that the Sabbath was about the rest we need, not the rituals we follow.

One Sabbath, Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as His disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” —Mark 2:23-24

Jesus loved to expose the

in religious systems.

He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” —Mark 2:25-26

“Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.” But the priest answered David, “I don’t have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here—provided the men have kept themselves from women.”

David replied, “Indeed, women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!” So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the Lord and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. —1 Samuel 21:3-6

Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:27-28

When we embrace

, our focus inevitably shifts to the wrong place.

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” —Hosea 6:6

God does not want

religious obligations; He wants our hearts.

Another time, Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. —Mark 3:1-2

about Jesus and

Reveal Answer

Him are vastly different things.

Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” —Mark 3:3

Jesus never

what He was doing.

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. —Mark 3:4

Jesus values doing good over religious

.

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. —Mark 3:5

traditions over people angers Jesus.

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. —Mark 3:6

Takeaway: The heart of the Sabbath is about rest, not restrictions.

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Discussion Questions
Why do you think the Pharisees were so focused on enforcing Sabbath rules? How can we fall into similar patterns today?
Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” What does this teach us about God’s intent for rest and worship?
What are some ways we can ensure that our faith is centered on loving God and others rather than just following religious traditions?
How can we apply the principle of Sabbath rest in today’s fast-paced culture? What does true rest in God look like?
Table Discussion Question — How does legalism shift our focus away from what truly matters in our relationship with God? Can you think of modern-day examples of this?