Mark 2:23- 3:6   This snapshot of Jesus reveals another aspect of His ministry.. Jesus is showing His followers and the religious leaders the True meaning of the Sabbath. 

It starts out with the disciples "picking the heads of grain"  as they walked through a field. The Pharisees accused Jesus for allowing His disciples to break the Law.  Jesus answered their accusation with a completely different situation.. "have you never read what David did the he was in need and became hungry.. "  David and his followers ate bread from the house of the Lord which was reserved for the priests.. and it was the high priest Abiathar who gave it to them.  

So.. what was His point?  Perhaps Jesus was showing them that if Abiathar, a high priest, had the authority to give David and his men holy bread.. then, why would He, the Son of God and Great High Priest..  not have the authority to allow His disciples food when they were hungry... even on the Sabbath?  After all, Jesus points out, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." 

The Sabbath rest was established by God for His people as we read in Leviticus. He called His people to put aside work.. and to trust Him for provision for the day.  They first began learning to keep the Sabbath rest in the wilderness.. as God provided extra manna on the 6th day and none on the 7th. God established this day of rest for His people.  The Pharisees had made it a day of dread instead of joy.  Jesus took it back... to the true purpose.. a day to remember the God who provides all that we need.. a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing in the goodness of God.  He claimed that day for Himself! He is "Lord.. of the Sabbath".

The scene moves to the synagogue.. and focuses on a "man.. with a withered hand".  The Pharisees were "watching Him".. they wanted to accuse Him.. not rejoice with Him.  Jesus acted with compassion.. healing the man's hand miraculously.. wonderfully.. powerfully!   His words should have stirred their hearts.. " Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?"   They were bent on doing harm and killing.. that they might "destroy Him".   Jesus "looking around at them with anger, grieved a their hardness of heart.."  turned back to the man in need.. and simply said, "Stretch out your hand."  And it was made new. 

Let us know Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath.. as the True authority over all that God has established.. all that God our Father desires for His people.. for us.  Jesus cares for us.. for what we need.. whether that is food when we are hungry.. or healing when we are sick.. and He is the One who we can trust every day for His compassion never fails.. His mercies are new every morning.  Let us know Jesus who is angered by those who do not care for the needy and do not show mercy to those who are hurting... who only want to destroy what they don't agree with.  This is the Lord who we serve. 

Father in heaven, blessed is the Name of Jesus our Savior and Lord.  Teach us to know Him more.. fill our hearts with Your Spirit that we might become more like Him. Thank You for caring for us with Your gracious Hand. Be glorified in our lives today we pray. Amen.