PODCAST
Against the Rules
March 19th, 2012
RG AUDIO 031912Mark 2:23—3:6
I grew up following a strict list of Sunday “do not” rules. Things like reading the newspaper, playing table games, or being involved in sports activities. I resented those restrictions because I saw no relationship between them and following Jesus.
Jesus also grew up among people of strict, legalistic religious laws. The Pharisees were the keepers of laws. They considered Jesus to be an enemy—a threat to their power and authority over the people. They felt it their duty to scrutinize the behavior of Jesus and his disciples. Some of them were infuriated when, on the Sabbath, they caught Jesus’ disciples stripping grains of wheat from their stems. Those Pharisees immediately chided Jesus.
Jesus described to them a new way of looking at the Sabbath: “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath” (2:27, TNIV). With his next words, he identified why he had the authority to change laws: “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (2:28).
March 19th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
This certainly brings back memories of my childhood days. When I
was staying with my aunt in Missouri, I wasn’t allowed to do anything
on Sunday that wasn’t related to Spiritual or Church-related things.
She had very limited education, but married a man who became a
minister of the Nazarene Church. I admired him tremendously, and he
was so kind to everyone. I was happy for a good place to stay and food
to eat. I am blessed.