I am watching the Chosen online right now and quite enjoying it. One item that struck me had to do with daily life in the disciple’s camp. You see, Thomas was counting the lentils trying to see if they would have enough for the next meal and was coming up short. They were coming into Shabbat and had no time to get anything before the start of the Holy Day and would go hungry before the next opportunity to gather supplies. In the show, the group had gone to temple and Jesus healed on Shabbat and while on their way back to the camp, Peter Simon took up a handful of grain to eat since he was hungry and the holy men demanded to know why Jesus allowed them to gather food on the Sabbath. Jesus pushed back and told them:
I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Matt 12:6-8 NLT
As I pondered this passage, something hit me; Jesus came to offer mercy and not condemn the children of God to a life of servitude to an uncaring Creator. Something many forget is that the duty of the faith gathering is to support those in the faith family, welcome in those who hunger both physically and spiritually and to care for others as Christ cares for each of us. Rules are good but when they overrule the foundational message of Christ, are they for the needs of the faith family or to satisfy the ego of man?
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28
Long after we are all dead and gone, after Christ comes back and all things are made new, Shabbat will be everyday for it will be a time of great rejoicing and rest. Can we not practice that everyday in our daily habits? Rest in Him and He shall make your path straight. As it is done in Heaven, let it be done on earth. Love one another as Christ loves you. Love God with your entirety and let Him give you strength and direction. All of this will make life that much better for us individually and as a community. I challenge you to give it a try.
This Sunday, we start a new series on God’s Provisions; An Uplifting Account Of Christ’s Compassion. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.
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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
