For Your Own Good
a homily based on Mark 2:23-30
by Rev. Frank Schaefer


Could it be true? Jesus and his disciples were caught breaking the Mosaic Law. What they did sounds harmless enough, they plucked grains on the Sabbath. I’ll ask it again: was Jesus really guilty of breaking the law? Or did the Pharisees misinterpret the law?

It is true that the fourth commandment says to keep the Sabbath holy. A Sabbath Day is a Day of rest and God wants us to take a break just as God rested on the 7th day after creating the world. There are indeed many passages in Leviticus that address what you can and cannot do on the Sabbath.

And the punishment was actually pretty severe. In Numbers 15:32-36, we read: “a man gathering firewood on Sabbath is put to death” The potential punishment for desecrating Sabbath (stoning) is the most severe in Jewish law.

The Pharisees are quick to accuse Jesus. Now, they probably think, “finally, we have something concrete against him.”

As I pondered this passage, I couldn’t help thinking how this accusation would have fared in a 21st century court trial. Let’s imagine shall we?...

The prosecuting attorney calls Jesus to the witness stand. Jesus is sworn in and counsel starts questioning him: Your disciples are accused of a serious violation of the Mosaic sabbath law; remember you’re under oath now. Did your disciples pluck wheat from the field on the sabbath? Yes.

Did you know that it was the sabbath day? Yes

Did you know that your disciples were plucking the wheat? Yes
And as disciples, they are under your care, are they not? Yes.
Did you say anything to stop your disciples from plucking the wheat? No
No further questions, your honor.

Judge: Would the defense like to question the witness?

The defense attorney walks up to the witness box: “Now, some would argue that plucking wheat was not necessarily on Moses’ mind as an unlawful deed when he gave us the sabbath law...

Prosecution: Objection, counsel is Arguing the law.
Judge: sustained.

Defense: OK, let me restate: Jesus, do you think that plucking wheat on the sabbath is unlawful?
Jesus: yes.

Defense: Do you think that your disciples broke the sabbath law?
Jesus: No.

Defense: Wait. What? Did you not just state that you believe that plucking wheat on the sabbath is unlawful?
Jesus: Yes, but there are circumstances in which this law shouldn’t be applied.

Prosecution: Objection, your honor: Calls for a conclusion

Defense: Your honor, I am merely trying to establish whether there are special circumstances that the court needs to consider. There is precedent.

Prosecutor: What precedent is this?

Defense: I’m refering to the time King David went into the house of God and took the altar bread offered to God while Abiathar was High Priest. He and his men were hungry, and he ate it and even gave it to his men even though according to our Law only the priests may eat this bread.

Judge: OK, I will allow this line of questioning. Overruled.

Defense: So, Jesus, would you say there were special circumstances that that the sabbath law shouldn’t be applied here?

Jesus: Yes, my disciples were starving, we had been traveling on foot for hours after our provisions ran out.

Defense: Yes, but does hunger, even extreme hunger, give you the right to ignore the law?

Jesus: I wouldn’t put it like that. But, I truly believe that sometimes we need to show grace and compassion when it comes to applying laws. We should always consider people’s circumstances. So, when people are not well, then perhaps they need to do something on the sabbath day that they normally wouldn’t do, to get well, whether these circumstances are extreme hunger or a medical emergency of some sort.

Defense: But you would say that under normal circumstances, when there is no hunger or medical situation involved, the plucking of grains is unlawful according to the Sabbath law?

Jesus: yes, I would agree. The law is the law, but in the application of the law we should have some latitude using our judgment in the spirit of the intention of the law.

Defense: And what would you say is the intention of the law in this case?

Jesus: I think the sabbath law was put into place by God and the elders of Israel for the benefit of the people. It’s purpose is to give us a day off, to relax, to meditate, pray, and regain our strength. I doubt that the intent of the sabbath law was to control, restrict, or harm people, and surely, if there is an emergency that involves our health or well-being, we need to show some grace.

Obviously, Jesus’ arguments were solid and he got off the hook, at least for a while, because in the following chapter (Mark 3) we see Jesus continue in his ministry unfettered. In fact, the very next account describes how Jesus healed a man...on the sabbath day. Again, special circumstances. A man was ill.

Why is it so hard for some of us to understand that God is good and that God has your own best interest in mind? Why don’t we understand that God gave us the law to keep us safe, well, and in a state of blessing? The law is supposed to give us good guidelines for a happy and long life. It’s for our own good!

Have you heard the story of the modern-day practicing orthodox Jew. He observed the Sabbath to a point where he would refuse to work overtime on Fridays and Saturdays. He got so frustrated with people trying to change his mind. Even his boss tried to lure him into the office: “You could make double pay if you come in to work this Saturday. Too bad you have to obey those religious rules.” So he responded: “Yeah, that’s too bad, I have to sleep in, and then I have to endure a catered meal at the Synagogue and fellowship with my friends. And I’m going to have to sing some of my favored songs, then I have to spend time with my family.What would I give to be able to put in a hard day’s work instead.”

Remember the phrase “it’s for your own good” mom and dad told us again and again when we were little? Well, I think the “it’s for your own good” principle works also for the 4th law, to “keep the Sabbath holy.” Holy has a number of meanings. For one thing it means--set apart: set this day apart from the others, do something different that you do the rest of the week--get some rest. If you work all week round including the sabbath day, it doesn’t take long before you have a heart attack or a nervous breakdown or a family situation--it’s for your own good to put in a day of rest, to get your mind on something else, to enjoy time with the family.

Another meaning of “keeping holy” has to do with worshiping God. We are supposed to take time out to celebrate and worship our God in a special way at least once a week.
The Presbyterian Westminster confession expresses it so well: our purpose in life is to serve God and to enjoy God forever. The sabbath day is a time when we may celebrate our faith and our God in church.

Does it mean that we can’t do any sports on Sundays, or yardwork, or homework, or shopping, or washing the car?
It all depends, first of all, some things need to be done (hospitals, power plants, pastors). So if you have to work on Sundays you should pick another day as your personal Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

The bottom line is that the sabbath law is intended to be for our own good: God wants us to take a break from whatever it is that we feel stressed about, that we toil over.

Let us this morning think about God’s love for us; let the good news of Jesus change your life in a radical way. Know that God is your parent who wants the very best for you. So, be well and get your rest my friends. Amen.