Jesus addresses the accusations of not fasting and eating grain that was picked on Sunday be his disciples. His response reminds us that there is a time for everything. His disciples did not fast because he (the bridegroom) was with them. They, in a sense, were newly married. One hardly expects a newly married couple to put on sack cloth and fast, do we? No, rather we expect that they are celebrating their time together. There is a time to fast and a time to celebrate. Human traditions (laws) are not necessarily the greatest guidelines for when these things should happen.
The same goes for the disciples picking some heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath. Would the LORD, who was willing to die for us, really desire that we should go hungry, insisting that we not walk through a field and pick some heads of grain for sustenance - in order to keep tradition? I believe the command was to rest on the Sabbath. But, what does rest mean? I've actually had people tell me that since they are commanded to "rest" on the Sabbath they are sleeping in instead of attending worship. Or maybe they will golf or fish instead? That's rest to some. The reality is that it was the church who came up with all the specific do's and don't do's of the Sabbath.
Personally, I find the "rest" that does me the most good and refreshes me for another week is spending time in God's presence, in His house, with His people, worshipping Him. “The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath." The Sabbath, the day of rest, was made for you;" (vs 27) that you might rest and be refreshed by the power of Almighty God. Take advantage of this gift, celebrate His love, so that you might live life, empowered by His Word and His Spirit.
See you in a few hours at Worship where we can be refreshed by His Word and Sacrament together.
God's Peace - Pr. J
The same goes for the disciples picking some heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath. Would the LORD, who was willing to die for us, really desire that we should go hungry, insisting that we not walk through a field and pick some heads of grain for sustenance - in order to keep tradition? I believe the command was to rest on the Sabbath. But, what does rest mean? I've actually had people tell me that since they are commanded to "rest" on the Sabbath they are sleeping in instead of attending worship. Or maybe they will golf or fish instead? That's rest to some. The reality is that it was the church who came up with all the specific do's and don't do's of the Sabbath.
Personally, I find the "rest" that does me the most good and refreshes me for another week is spending time in God's presence, in His house, with His people, worshipping Him. “The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath." The Sabbath, the day of rest, was made for you;" (vs 27) that you might rest and be refreshed by the power of Almighty God. Take advantage of this gift, celebrate His love, so that you might live life, empowered by His Word and His Spirit.
See you in a few hours at Worship where we can be refreshed by His Word and Sacrament together.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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