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Mark 2:23-28 “The True Purpose of the Law”

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6–9 minutes

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

Sometime later, Jesus and his disciples were walking through a grain field. The disciples, who got hungry, began to pick heads of grain and rub them in their hands to eat (verse 23). According to the law, using a sickle to harvest someone else’s grain was forbidden, but picking grain by hand to satisfy hunger was allowed (Deuteronomy 23:25). This provision was a way to care for the poor and needy. However, the issue was that it was the Sabbath. The teachers of the law taught that no form of harvesting—even something as simple as rubbing grain in your hands—was permitted on the Sabbath, as it was considered work.

A Pharisee who was following them saw this and asked Jesus, “Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (verse 24). In response, Jesus referred to the story of David (verses 25-26). When David was fleeing from King Saul, the high priest Abiathar gave him the consecrated bread—bread that only priests were allowed to eat—so that David and his men wouldn’t starve (1 Samuel 21:1-10). Jesus pointed out that the true purpose of the law is to protect and preserve life. In a life-threatening situation, following the spirit of the law rather than its strict letter was the right thing to do. Just as Abiathar’s actions were justified, the actions of Jesus’ disciples could not be condemned. They were simply fulfilling their basic need for food, not breaking the heart of the Sabbath law.

Here, Jesus made two revolutionary statements about the Sabbath. First, he declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (verse 27). This means that people do not exist to serve the law; rather, the law was given to serve and bless people. The purpose of the law was to guide people toward holy and blessed lives. However, the teachers of the law had added numerous extra rules (known as the “traditions of the elders”) to the law, turning it into a heavy burden that oppressed people. In contrast, Jesus boldly disregarded these added regulations whenever they conflicted with the true purpose of the law—to give life and rest, not to impose unnecessary restrictions.

Second, Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (verse 28). This statement means, “The Son of Man is the Lord of the law.” As seen earlier in verse 10, “Son of Man” was a title Jesus often used to refer to himself. It was both a humble expression and a reference to the prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14, which describes a figure with divine authority who reigns forever. By calling himself the “Son of Man,” Jesus subtly revealed his true identity as the eternal King to those who had “ears to hear.” The Greek word kyrios for “Lord” signifies someone with absolute authority. Jesus was not bound by the law of Moses. He was the one who gave the law and came to fulfill it. Therefore, he had the authority to interpret its true meaning and purpose.

Meditation:

During Jesus’ time, the Jewish people lived according to both the written law and the oral law. The written law referred to the 613 commandments recorded in the Torah (the five books of Moses), while the oral law consisted of guidelines developed by the teachers of the law to help people follow the written law in daily life. For example, to follow the commandment “Do not work on the Sabbath,” people needed answers to questions such as: “When exactly does the Sabbath begin and end?” “What counts as work?” and “What activities are allowed on the Sabbath?” The teachers of the law created detailed rules to answer these questions and passed them down. The Bible refers to these additional rules as the “traditions of the elders.” These traditions were meant to clarify the law but often became burdensome, leading people to focus on rules rather than the heart of God’s commands.

The teachers of the law created detailed guidelines with good intentions—to help people follow the law more precisely. However, in reality, these rules became burdensome and restrictive, trapping people in legalism. The teachers of the law used the “traditions of the elders” to monitor, judge, and condemn others. For this reason, Jesus openly disregarded and broke these additional rules. He saw that these man-made traditions distorted the true purpose of God’s law and misrepresented God’s will. Instead of bringing people closer to God, the traditions often placed unnecessary burdens on them, turning the law into a tool of control rather than grace.

Moreover, Jesus often took revolutionary positions regarding the law. As seen in Matthew 5:21-48, his teachings sometimes seemed to revise or even abolish the law. This was because people had become so fixated on the literal wording of the law that they ignored God’s true intentions behind it. The law was not given to bind or oppress people but to bring them freedom. It wasn’t meant to burden people but was an expression of God’s love. Jesus reminded his followers that the law was meant to guide them toward a life of love, justice, and grace, not to trap them in rigid rules that missed the heart of God’s commands.

Jesus taught that the core of all the law and the prophets is love (Mark 12:29-31). God’s will for us is to love him with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This truth is something we must always remember when reading and reflecting on Scripture. If we keep in mind that all of God’s commands come from God’s love and lead us toward love, our time spent meditating on the Word of God will help us grow in God’s love. The more we understand this, the more we will mature in living out God’s love in our daily lives.

Prayer:

The Apostle Paul said, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, helps us to understand God’s will as we read the Word of God. Keep us from the foolishness of becoming trapped in rigid interpretations that bind us. Instead, let us be moved by the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may grow in our love for God and our neighbors through the Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus taught that the Sabbath—and all of God’s laws—were given to help people live in love and freedom. When we understand the heart of God’s commands, we grow in our love for him and for others.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • Why did the Pharisees get upset about what the disciples did?
    • Jesus said that the Sabbath is meant to help people, not to hurt them. Why do you think God gave us a day of rest?
    • Is it more important to follow a rule or to help someone who needs love? Why?
    • When have you felt like you had to follow a rule even though it didn’t feel fair?
  • For Middle School
    • Why did Jesus challenge the Pharisees’ strict view of the law?
    • What does this story teach us about God’s priorities—rules or relationships?
    • Are there areas in your life where you feel more focused on rules than on showing love and compassion?
  • For High School
    • How does knowing that Jesus is the “Lord of the Sabbath” give us freedom in our faith?
    • Are there areas in your life where you are more focused on “rules” than relationships? How can you change that?
  • Family Discussion Question:
    • How can we as a family make the Sabbath a day of joy, rest, and time spent with God and each other?

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