May 5, 2010
Love, NOT RULES
Mark 2:23-28
Doug Rees
Central Truth
We often get more caught up in following rules than in working on our relationship with the Lord and our own heart. We do not sin, necessarily, just because we miss a church service. We sin when we do not pursue Him and show His love to others.
Key Verse | Mark 2:27
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)
Mark 2:23-28
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of 1 2:26 Or in the passage about Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Dive Deeper | Mark 2:23-28
How many people think being a Christian involves going to church, joining a small group, and abstaining from certain things? That is the perception of many, particularly nonbelievers. They view Christians as people who have decided to attend church regularly and attempt to avoid engaging in certain behaviors, or, in other words, people who try to "follow the rules." While people recognize that Christians are not always successful in such attempts, they may acknowledge that Christians at least are trying to "clean up their lives."
We believers can be guilty of this, too. How many of us think it is enough merely to go to church? Or, have you been tempted to think that you are holier if you are involved in church activities or giving a little financially? We often feel guilty if we miss church or some activity, even if there is a good reason. Why?
Jesus makes it clear that it should not be so. The Pharisees criticized the disciples for engaging in certain activities on the Sabbath. In today's terms, that would be like criticizing someone for missing church on a particular Sunday. Jesus informed the Pharisees that they were missing the point. The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. We were made to worship Him. We were not made so that we can "make it to a building" at a certain place or time. And we do not need to spend our time concerned about abiding by and complying with certain religious laws and rules. As believers in Christ, we are to worship and love God and to love others. One of the ways in which we demonstrate that we love God and others is by how we treat people and tend to their needs.
Discussion Questions
1. Jesus tells the Pharisees in Matthew 22:36-40 that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and the second, which He says is like it, is to love your neighbor as yourself. He says the whole Law depends on these two commandments. How are you doing in abiding by these commandments?
2. How will others know that you are a Christian? Because you go to church or engage in Christian activities? Christ tells us that people will know that we are Christians when we love one another: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
3. What "rules" have you felt guilty about breaking lately? In the context of today's passage, is that something about which you should feel guilty?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who did Jesus say the Sabbath was for? Talk about this weekend and how you can make your Sabbath day restful and worshipful.