“What’s a Sabbath For? Who Needs One?”

Feb.26/12 Mk.2:23-3:6   Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

THE PRESS OF LIFE

●    shrunk world with streaming media a high-pressure place
●    cider press squeezed juice out, left formless pulp
●    Jesus called harried disciples to come away and rest

BLESSING OR BURDEN – AND THE BOSS

●    Pharisees quick to criticize hand-harvesting disciples
●    sabbath a gift of rest to man, way of honouring God
●    limits our tendency to exert authority over servants / employees
●    inter-testamental oral tradition majored in the minors
●    Ahimelech merciful to David in need
●    Sabbath made for man; Jesus Lord of the Sabbath

HEALED HAND, HARDENED HEARTS

●    church attendance on Sunday modeled by early church
●    Jesus angered / grieved by hardness of Pharisees’ hearts
●    purpose of Sabbath: to do good & save life / heal, not do evil / kill
●    stretched-out man’s hand led to Jesus’ hands stretched out on cross

MERCY OF THE MAGISTRATE

●    “Lord of the Sabbath” uses His authority to heal, be merciful
●    Lord’s Day a gift of mercy to help ward off ‘Monday Blues’ and heart attacks