Mark 2:23-3:6

How Jesus Spent His Saturdays

The Gospel according to Mark (Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28))

Most of the world’s religions venerate sacred places: Islam honors Mecca, Hinduism the Ganges River, and Shintoism the island of Japan. Judaism also venerated Jerusalem and especially the temple as sacred space, but it venerated something beyond it, and perhaps above it: time, the Sabbath.

It is hard for us as Americans to understand what is going on here with the Sabbath. For many people we don’t really think of setting aside a day for total rest and worship.

In the Jewish mind there were just somethings you do not do.

Kind of like if someone wanted to sing God Save the Queen on the 4th of July and have a flag burring. We would think that because it is the 4th it is even worse.

What makes an American?

What made a Jew was primarily their observance to 2 different practices.

The Gospel according to Mark (Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28))

Two observances above all defined Jews and set them apart from the nations: circumcision and the Sabbath.

By the way the 4th commandment is the longest commandment.

Isaiah 58:13-14 tell us that we should call the Sabbath a delight. The authorities valued the Sabbath but as far as delighting in it we will see if that could be said of them.

The Gospel according to Mark (Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28))

the Mishnah lists thirty-nine classes of work that profane the Sabbath, including those we might expect, such as plowing, hunting, and butchering, and those we would not, such as tying or loosening knots, sewing more than one stitch, or writing more than one letter (m. Shab. 7:2). ... it was forbidden to set a dislocated foot or hand on the Sabbath (m. Shab. 22:6), or to repair a fallen roof (though it might temporarily be propped up;

How far did they walk? Walking more than 1,999 paces (= 800 meters) was considered a journey and hence a breach of the Sabbath.

The Gospel according to Mark Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28)

According to Deut 23:25, snitching grain from a neighbor’s field was permissible—but not on the Sabbath, according to later rabbinic ruling (m. Shab. 7:2). Hence the reproach of Jesus, “Why are [your disciples] doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Jesus tells the Pharisees to read a book. lol Verse 25.

Jesus appealed to scripture 1 Samuel 21:1-6 and to His own authority verse 28 (the king can do as he pleases with His laws, Jesus does not abolish the law but is rather Lord over it, He fulfills it) in answering the Pharisees criticism.

The Gospel according to Mark Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28)

Jesus, however, does not raise the incident in order to plead for a Sabbath exception for his hungry disciples. He cites David’s violation of the Torah not as an excuse for his action but as a precedent. In making the allusion to David, Jesus is inviting a comparison between his person and Israel’s royal messianic prototype.

this is the 1st of many references to David in the gospel of Mark.

David was the hero king of Israel’s golden age.

Mark 11:10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest.

Or Blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” in Mark 10:46

I want to talk about accidental idols. For the Pharisees the Sabbath had become an idol. Whenever we serving something other than God it almost always an idol or dangerous of become one. The Sabbath was intended to server man and to give him rest not man to serve it. Church can become an idol. When we find ourselves serving the church and not serving God. America can become an Idol.

It appears as if this man was not brought there by the pharsees and that he did not come with the intention of being healed. It looks like this man with the disability is there to be taught. And it is quite possible that He comes often to be taught.

One thing to note is that a shriveled hand was not life threatening.

Mark (5) Over Healing the Man with the Shriveled Hand on the Sabbath (3:1–6)

The Greek says “get up in the middle” because, in second- and third-century synagogues at least, the seats were stone benches around the walls.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (3:5)

This is the only explicit reference to Jesus’ anger in the New Testament. It was nonmalicious indignation coupled with deep sorrow (grief) at their obstinate insensitivity (pōrōsei, “hardening”; cf. Rom. 11:25; Eph. 4:18) to God’s mercy and human misery.

Have you ever had such sorrow at the choices someone is making that it makes you angry?

Jesus’ anger was not sinful because it was controlled and it was directed towards evil.

The Gospel according to Mark (A Question of Life and Death (3:1–6))

The greatest enemy of divine love and justice is not opposition, not even malice, but hardness of heart and indifference to divine grace.

Neither Jesus nor the Man did any work. Jesus spoke and speaking was allowed on the Sabbath. The man stretched out His hand.

Sonny Liston and the police: They arrested him for talk to someone on the corner and for driving too slow in the park.

Wooooooo.... This is the Sabbith police. We have you surronded come out with your hands up.

What charge do you against me. We caught you talking and that guy stretching. We have a nice town here and we don’t any of that kind of unsavory activity.

in these 5 stories Jesus demonstrates His authority while facing opposition from the ‘authorities’.

The Pharisees and the Herodians agree on one thing and one thing only… they what to kill Jesus.

because Jesus has authority the authorities want to undermine Him.

By plotting to kill Jesus on the sabbath they are they are themselves breaking the Sabbath.

Don’t be lead astray by a world that is plotting to destroy Jesus.

Jesus has authority over the things in your life that you have let get out of control.