June 2, 2024 – Pentecost +2

“One sabbath [Jesus] 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 G-d, 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.” Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.” Mark 2:23 – 3:6

Why are they so concerned with the Sabbath? Why are they so concerned with what happens on the Sabbath? Of course the question is, why aren’t we? It used to be that the only thing people did on the Sabbath was go to church and then have family time, including meals and taking a ride in the car. No so, any more.  Not so many people go to church any more and even less spend time with their families.

So let’s begin with why? Why were they so concerned with what people did on the Sabbath? Because as we might remember from the Decalogue – the Lord commands the Israelites to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. People were to rest – and they were supposed to allow their servants to rest as well. G-d commanded it – G-d rested on the seventh day – and G-d wanted them to remember that they too were once slaves when they were in Egypt. The Sabbath observance would connect them to their history and remind them of what G-d had done for them.

Let me ask you, why do we celebrate National Holidays? Well, if I may be so bold to answer – we celebrate these holidays to remember the deeds of men and women, the military, presidents and martyrs who have changed history, established paths of freedom – and it is supposed to give us some rest. These holidays connect us to our past, it reminds us who we are, and how we got here. And it is supposed to give us all some much needed rest. But, as I observe in this life, we have lost the ability to rest. Too many people cannot sit – and just be! People need to learn to rest, and to relinquish control – and allow G-d to lead – even if for just one day. It would be a day to remind us that G-d is in control of our lives, and we are not – and that is hard for Americans.

In our Gospel lesson this morning Jesus takes the Sabbath, Jesus who declares himself Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus takes the Sabbath and gives it new meaning. Yes, the Sabbath is to remind us to rest, remember, and reinvigorate – but Jesus takes it a step further. The Sabbath, Jesus says, is not just to be about “What we should decline to do”. The Sabbath, Jesus tells us, is to be a day where we honor G-d by “The way we live”. The Sabbath, according to Jesus, was to be a time to act in response to the needs of people – not to over-burden people with ridiculous “do-s” and “don’t-s”.

Remember the Sabbath because Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.

Pastor Dave