Enslaved To Religion

1/17/25 Mark 2:23-28

The Sabbath, along with the covenant sign of circumcision, set the Jews apart from surrounding cultures. These signs marked them as God’s people. So, when the disciples “harvest grain” on the Sabbath, they are violating the “no work clause”.

Of course, honoring the Sabbath goes all the way back to the Ten Commandments. Leviticus defines some of the work restrictions that fulfilled that command. Isaiah sets Sabbath observance as a criteria for righteousness.

Jewish tradition developed 39 categories of rules to protect the Sabbath, with hundreds of defining regulations to clear up any confusion on the matter. These rules built heavily upon the clear directives of the Old Testament. They defined the limits on how much you could carry, how far you could travel, etc. According to Jewish scholars, flushing the toilet would be a violation of the Sabbath. They had become enslaved by the Sabbath.

Jesus redirects their thinking. Sabbath wasn't to be served as a slave. Sabbath was for humanity’s benefit, not burden. Sabbath was to be a blessing. 

Then Jesus makes the big claim … He is master of the Sabbath. 

Q: When, if ever, are you tempted to wear religious observance as a burden to which you are enslaved?