The Lord of the Sabbath
Mark 2:23 - 3:6
When I go to a restaurant with my wife and the menu is put in front of us, I can look at it through my own eyes, or I can look at it through my wife's eyes. And I almost always know what she's going to order.
If she had to leave the table for a moment and the waiter comes to take our order, I know I could order something she would like. I'm almost sure I can nail exactly what she would want. It’s not because we have some telepathic connection, or because I keep a little spreadsheet or notebook tracking a list of dos and don'ts for ordering off the menu. It's because I know my wife. We've been married for almost 25 years, eaten a lot of meals together, and I paid attention. I'm not good at everything, but on this front, I paid attention. You get to know somebody to that point.
This isn't a perfect analogy by any stretch, but if you're a follower of Christ, the value of digging into the Gospels, like digging into Mark, is this: learning who Jesus is, learning his heart. What we're doing is watching Jesus order off the menu. Every text, every encounter as we work our way through Mark is another look at who Jesus is. Pay attention. See what he's after. What is he like? What does he want? Learn his heart.
If she had to leave the table for a moment and the waiter comes to take our order, I know I could order something she would like. I'm almost sure I can nail exactly what she would want. It’s not because we have some telepathic connection, or because I keep a little spreadsheet or notebook tracking a list of dos and don'ts for ordering off the menu. It's because I know my wife. We've been married for almost 25 years, eaten a lot of meals together, and I paid attention. I'm not good at everything, but on this front, I paid attention. You get to know somebody to that point.
This isn't a perfect analogy by any stretch, but if you're a follower of Christ, the value of digging into the Gospels, like digging into Mark, is this: learning who Jesus is, learning his heart. What we're doing is watching Jesus order off the menu. Every text, every encounter as we work our way through Mark is another look at who Jesus is. Pay attention. See what he's after. What is he like? What does he want? Learn his heart.
GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matthew 12:1–14, Luke 6:1–11
1) THE LAW OF THE SABBATH
2) THE HEART OF THE SABBATH
3) THE LORD OF THE SABBATH
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matthew 12:1–14, Luke 6:1–11
1) THE LAW OF THE SABBATH
- Exodus 20:8–10 Keep the Sabbath holy.
- Deuteronomy 23:25 Picking grain while passing through a neighbor’s field.
- Colossians 2:20–23 Warning against man-made rules; “appearance of wisdom.”
- Matthew 15:1–9 Traditions nullifying God’s Word.
- Galatians 3:24-25, 5:1 Law leads us to Christ, now free in Him
- 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Warning about demanding obedience to harsh rules
2) THE HEART OF THE SABBATH
- 1 Samuel 21:1–6 David ate the bread of the Presence; human need comes first.
- Exodus 5 Pharaoh’s oppressive labor vs. God’s blessing of rest.
- Exodus 16:22-24 God provides for His people on the Sabbath.
- Genesis 2:2–3 God rested on the seventh day and blessed it.
- Hebrews 4:9–10 A Sabbath rest remains for God’s people.
3) THE LORD OF THE SABBATH
- Romans 13:8–10 Love fulfills the Law.
- Galatians 5:14 Law fulfilled in loving your neighbor.
- Matthew 11:28–30 Jesus offers rest for the weary and burdened.
- Colossians 2:16–17 The Sabbath is a shadow; Christ is the substance.
- Romans 14:5 Freedom to observe certain days; respect personal convictions.
- Hebrews 4:3–4 God’s rest is realized in Christ.
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