Snapshot Series: "Made For You"

“Made for You” Mark 2:23-3:6

Tonight we are going to look at two accounts in which Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees for His actions on the Sabbath.

We will also find out what Jesus feels people are more important then the law. He show us this by what He performs on the Sabbath.

Works of necessity: 2:23-28 In this passage we see the Pharisees have a narrow interpretation of the Law and what was permitted.

First of all in Duet. 23:25 it was lawful to pass through another persons field you were allowed to pluck grain that you could carry and eat your fill.

The idea was that God cares about peoples needs so it is evident that if a person was hungry they could eat but the Lord does not want people to take everything their neighbor had.

But then we see that Jesus uses the account of David and his companions, the Lord allowed it because David and his companions had a need.

Jesus’ use of the account of David was communicating to the Pharisees that God cares about people and their needs

Then He reminds them that the real purpose of the Sabbath and it was made to serve us not us to serve it..

Ceremonial law in all its parts is established as a means to an end--the highest good of men. Maclaren, Alexander

In the next passage we see Jesus heal a man with a withered hand.

Works of Mercy 3:1-6 In this account Jesus heals a man with a withered hand.

Vrs 4 The question they would not answer because they knew the could not saw it was ever wrong to do good. But for the Pharisees it was only lawful to help someone if their life was in danger.

The question rests on the principle that good omitted is equivalent to evil committed. If we can save, and do not, the responsibility of loss lies on us. Maclaren, Alexander

Vrs 5 Jesus’ anger over this. The reason for this is that He made the Sabbath to benefit people and they were twisting it and making it a burden rather then a pleasure. “The Lord’s commands are not burdenson” 1 John 5:3

Vrs 6 This is the first place in the Gospel that we see a plot to kill Jesus.

Back to the Sabbath issue.
Sabbath was made for man, what about for today? Isn’t that amazing, the Lord made all days and He wants us to make the best use of them because the “days are evil”. That means we should spend much time in service working for Him but here is saying, This day is on me, rest and recharge enjoy yourself, relax.

Now we celebrate the “Lord’s Day” Sunday because it is the day Jesus Rose from the grave.

What should a Christian be doing on the Lord’s Day?
1. Worship (this is why we did not do the 5 on Saturday as some suggested) One of the things I love about the 5 pm time is that it really caps off the end of the week and weekend. But in our church we have the opportunity to go at 3 different times.
2. Rest: This is not a new concept with the risen Lord or even the Law of Moses, this was something instituted from the creation account. God rested, we all realize that God does not need rest so we have to understand that God was setting an example to us.
3. Family time: In our hectic lives we need to spend time with the ones closest to us. What should that consist of? Fun & recreation. Many times people let their family dictate how their Sunday will be spent and they neglect worship for those who do not believe in the Lord.
4. Prepare: Mentally prepare yourself for the week ahead. This may be spending some time making a list. Who am I going to be around, how can I pray for them, what needs to be done, how am I going to accomplish those things etc.

So does all this mean you can’t work on Sundays if I have a job that demands that? Here is what I would say…
1. Yes… if you are not given any other day off.
2. Yes… if your work times do not allow you to worship at all.
3. Yes… if it means neglect of family time, this is where it gets tricky because if you are a parent and your kids are in school if you a have a schedule that does not allow you to spend quality time with them you are missing valuable opportunities to have an impact on your children.

But here is what I will say as well…it is not just work, if you are involved in something that takes you away from observing the “Lord’s Day” in a healthy way then that would be just as harmful to your walk.

I don’t think a lifestyle without Sabbath type rest will be spiritually, emotionally and physically unhealthy for you.

Jesus cares more about the person then the rule/law and that is why He gave us a means to rest and recharge so we can be more effective for Him.

Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment...Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen." These are the words of Leonardo da Vinci, and no idler he; he excelled as a painter, sculptor, poet, architect, engineer, city planner, scientist, inventor, anatomist, military genius, and philosopher.

Vrs 28 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, we can take this statement and apply the fact that it communicates Jesus deserves a day and then notice what His day is…it is a day in which we can enjoy Him and everything He has blessed us with.