Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Sabbath is for Man, Not Man for the Sabbath
Mark 2:23–28

God gave the people of Israel the Sabbath after they came out of Egypt. In Exodus it is written: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work.”  (Ex.20.8-10)
And in the book of Nehemiah it is written: “Your Holy Sabbath you made known to them.” (Neh .9.14). So the Sabbath was cherished by the Jews as a sacred institution. The Sabbath was a special sign between Israel and God. (Ex.31:12-17)
When Jesus began openly to violate the Sabbath traditions, it was like declaring war against the religious establishment.   So, the objections of the Pharisees seem well grounded.  But, then again, so does the argument put forth by Jesus.  Jesus’ response was: if a hungry king and his men were permitted to eat the holy bread from the tabernacle (1 Sam. 21:1–6), then it was right for the Lord of the Sabbath to permit His men to eat the grain from the fields.  God is surely more concerned with meeting the needs of people than He is with protecting religious tradition.   
The Pharisees seemed to have the letter of the law on their side, but Jesus had the spirit of the law on his side.  The Pharisees, although they may have been well intended, had their priorities confused.  Jesus used the action of David to show that the Pharisees’ narrow interpretation of the Law blurred God’s intention.  The spirit of the Law in respect to human need took priority over its ceremonial regulations.
This passage confronts us with certain truths:
Whenever men forget the love, forgiveness, service and the mercy that are at the heart of religion and replace them by the performance of rules and regulations, religion is in decline.   Works of necessity and mercy are quite legal on the Sabbath.  If ever the performance of a man’s religion stops him from helping someone who is in need, his religion is not religion at all
Prayer: Gracious God, the Lord of the Sabbath, guide us by your spirit to respond to the needs of our brethren just as you did. May your Spirit of love and mercy invade our hearts that we may overflow with them so that we may find joy in serving with our heart , mind and soul. Amen.
Thought for the day: Let love and not law be the final arbiter

                     Rev. George Cherian, Youth Chaplain, Midwest Region.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more