1/21 Mark 2:27-28

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."

Jesus' disciples had pulled some heads of grain, rubbed off the husks, and eaten the grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees asked Jesus why He allowed them to violate the Sabbath. According to the Pharisees' definition of work, the disciples were harvesting and winnowing the grain. How ridiculous! But being so picky was the Pharisees' way of making sure one did not break God's laws. Isn't that a good thing?

Jesus' answer pointed to Scripture. When David was fleeing from King Saul, he and his men ate the bread of God from the tabernacle (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The Law declared that it was only to be eaten by priests (Leviticus 24:9). God overlooked the disobedience because of the men's hunger and desperate need. Besides that, God made the Sabbath for man. It was intended for man to rest and recover from his labor (Exodus 23:12). Jesus was getting at the spirit behind that particular law.

Then Jesus made a very bold statement. The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. "Son of Man" was Jesus' most common term for Himself. He declared that He is Master of even the Sabbath. The only activity the Pharisees believed was allowable on the Sabbath was to worship in the nearby synagogue. The title "Son of Man" in Daniel is the title of the One whom all will serve (Daniel 7:13-14).

Consider: Most Christians worship on the day after the Sabbath. Jesus is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9). Is He your Master as to how that day is spent?