– Scripture:

               In Charge of the Sabbath

One Sabbath, Jesus was strolling with his disciples through a field of ripe grain. Hungry, the disciples were pulling off the heads of grain and munching on them. Some Pharisees reported them to Jesus: “Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath rules!” Jesus said, “Really? Didn’t you ever read what David and his companions did when they were hungry, how they entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? And didn’t you ever read in God’s Law that priests carrying out their Temple duties break Sabbath rules all the time and it’s not held against them?  “There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—‘I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual’—you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”

Key Verse – The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; He is in charge.

                          Matthew 12:1–8 MSG

 – Reflection:

The disciples broke a rule by picking heads of grain on the Sabbath because they were hungry. Picking grain during that time was considered work. So he began asking them what was more important and if that was important to them, maybe it should be added to their Sabbath.

What are you hungry for? What is missing in your life, and you find yourself longing for it? Perhaps satisfying that hunger should be part of your sabbath observance. You might need a dose of nature, and walking in a park will feed that hunger. You might need a fun time with those you love, so playing a game or cooking a meal together will fill your emptiness. You might need quiet time alone; a good book will satisfy that hunger. You might long for time to connect with God, so reading scripture and praying will meet your need.

Where do we go from here?

Remember, Jesus is Lord over the sabbath helps us to understand that sabbath observance isn’t about following a list of rules. (And lists of rules always grow longer and longer as we face new circumstances!) The focus on rules can become an oppressive burden that takes away from the holiness of the sabbath practice. Remembering the sabbath day and keeping it holy reminds us who we are as children of God and can satisfy our deepest needs. Observing the sabbath honors our Lord as the Lord of all creation.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, Thank you for the day of rest you gave; hopefully, many of us can honor that by giving you praise and worship on that day by doing restful actions to be ready for work when it restarts. Give us the courage to pause, to be quiet, and to reflect so that we are aware of what our heart hungers for. Meet us in our hunger and satisfy our hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.