Mark 2:23-24
Have
you ever been part of an organization that has some stupid rules? Or wondered,
why in the world do we do it this way? I have had both in my life. And I am
someone who speaks up when ‘stupid’ rules the day. Especially since returning
from Iraq, my ‘stupid meter’ gets pushed easily. I want to know why I am being
asked to do something, and the explanation had better make sense. The activity
must support the mission we are on, or my mouth will speak up.
It
seems that some Pharisees, religious leaders and ultimate rule-keepers, were
following Jesus one day. For a Pharisee to be walking on the Sabbath, going
somewhere, it meant that they were only half a mile from their homes or city
limits. We don’t know why the Pharisee is traveling with Jesus. Could he have
been a curious man, wanting to check out what Jesus was saying and doing for
himself? Was he sent on a mission to spy on Jesus, gathering information that
could be used against him? We don’t know. All we know is that he observes
something.
What
does this Pharisee see? He sees the disciples picking some grain from the heads
of some plants in a field. The activity of harvesting was of course in the category
of work. And of course you were not allowed to work on the Sabbath. This is the
conflict for these Pharisees. They see Jesus condoning His disciple’s work, a
prohibited activity.
Leaders
bear responsibility for the behavior of those who follow them. This is true for
us, and it was true for leaders in Jesus’ day. So Jesus is asked to give an
account for the behavior of His followers.
Mark
wants us to hear Jesus creating new definitions for some traditional
activities. He has redefined fasting as something done at a time when
celebration is not happening. Fasting has a much more limited role in our lives
than it did in the religious people of Jesus’ day. So also the rules about the
Sabbath and what can and can’t be done.
If
you love rules and keeping them, then being a Jesus-follower will be difficult.
Jesus calls us to follow, to listen to His voice and leading. There are very
few rules for Followers. This makes some people very nervous. They look at
someone’s behavior and get on edge. They view the activity with suspicion and
even judge the behavior as evil. They get caught in the judging game, just like
the Pharisee did. Not the most pleasant way to live. We are called to freedom,
freedom from sin and freedom to obedience.