Protecting Systems

Scripture:

One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

(Mark 2:23–28 NRSV)

Observation:

The language at the opening of this section signals that this is another story which will reveal more of who Jesus is, which at the same time will be juxtaposed by increasing opposition to him and his ministry. It’s as if Mark’s Gospel is an on-going revelation of Christ and resistance of the Pharisees. They began this story near Jesus and now are further and further at the margins with those who were at the margins in the center. 

Sabbath observance was of importance to the Pharisees for it was a sign of the covenant between God and his people. Therefore, great effort was placed upon the observance of the day. They thought that they were doing the right thing because they were trying to be God’s holy people. The problem was that they did not fully understand.

Jesus responds to them with a story from David. While Mark doesn’t spend a lot of time making comparisons between Jesus and David, there is significance here. David’s life always foreshadowed that of the coming Messiah. David, the imperfect king would be replaced with the perfection the Messiah. This, again, is a bit of revelation about who Jesus is and that’s hard for the Pharisees to accept. 

As Jesus continues to respond he reveals even more about who he is. Instead of just accepting the law as written, he goes behind the law and explains the original intent. Yes, the sabbath was about covenant but it was about God’s covenant to his people. Sabbath was not created to be a “got-cha” kind of law, but was created to provide space for rest. Earlier Jesus had referred to himself as the “Son of Man,” inviting memories from the book of Daniel. This again, is the emerging identity of Jesus. He is greater than the sabbath. Brower tells us that it is the presence of Jesus that, “transforms sinners into intimate table companions” and is “greater than the holiness of the bread of the presence.” (Brower, NBBC, Mark) 

Application:

The Pharisees were more concerned with maintaining systems and structures than they were about knowing God. The sabbath was to be a time when the people would rest in God’s holy presence. Sabbath was to be a journey into knowing the mind of God and participating in holy covenant. Holy covenant is not about a list of rules, but about a beautiful relationship that brings peace and rest. 

From time to time I’m guessing we all find ourselves protecting systems or structures. Jesus wasn’t calling for the destruction of the sabbath, but he was trying to open the eyes of the religious leaders to the bigger picture. He was actually drawing them into a greater fulfillment of the sabbath which they failed to comprehend. God doesn’t need humans to protect the sabbath with a list of rules, God wants children to slow down long enough to enjoy the benefits of intimacy. 

When we protect systems we can find ourselves moving with the Pharisees, further and further away from the the inner circle and toward the margins. If I truly want to know Christ, then I must join with him in looking beyond the rules and to the true intent. Jesus knew how to look on the heart and to live into the perfect intent of the systems and structures. When that happens, then God’s purposes are fulfilled and the Messiah is revealed. 

Prayer:

Lord, please, continue to draw me toward the center. Amen.