The Lawful Sabbath

But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” Mark 2:25-26

The Pharisees called the disciples of Jesus not lawful. Jesus points out an example from scripture where David did a not lawful deed. And both involve eating. Clearly the problem is men and our eating. Wait, no, that's not where I want to go! Note that Jesus also points out an exception in the Law, seen by the words following 'except' in our verses for today. Priests also worked on the Sabbath. But if we read the big ten, those commandments Moses brought down from the mountain, we find no such exceptions. Not even the cattles were allowed to work. So how did we get to arguing over this?

I would imagine from the first reading there were lawyers among the children of Israel who asked, "How do you define work or labor?" Is putting together a cold sandwich work? How about cooking a hot meal? Is a person to remain in bed starving and thirsty all day? It is interesting that the law is established and immediately raises all manner of questions. So, how do we answer these questions?

In our age, we do faith, and prayer, and the word of God. We ask of Jesus who fulfilled the law. We seek out His answers. He is the Lord of the Sabbath, therefore He seems like the one to ask!

Love and peace to you in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Bucky