Jesus’ Life: Chapter 4 – Jesus’ Ministry In Galilee (Part 1)
Have you ever removed seed from its outer protective covering? Perhaps peanuts, sunflower seeds or other tasty foods. It can be a lot of work for very little food reward but enjoyable.
Jesus’ disciples were walking through a field of grain, maybe wheat or barley. It was morning time, they probably hadn’t eaten and were hungry since it was a Sabbath. Perhaps instinctively, they pulled some grain and rolled it in the palm of their hands to remove its outer coat and release the soft edible seed. It wouldn’t have solved their hunger problem but the small food gain would have made a pleasant treat.
When some Pharisees saw what the disciples had done, they complained to Jesus. Not because, as one might expect, they picked grain from someone else’s field, but because what they did was in their view unlawful according to Jewish laws. “Working” on the Sabbath was prohibited.
Jesus answered, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. For this reason, the Son of Man is Lord even on the Sabbath”.
The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus had failed again; they were unable to show that Jesus’ disciples had done anything contrary to their laws. However, they would keep looking for another occasion! (Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5)
Thought
In today’s world, it’s hard to understand what the disciples could possibly have done wrong. However, it does show the lengths to which some can descend when they dislike you.
Enjoy the Sabbath with Jesus, it’s His day. Devote all or as much of it as you can to Him. Offer your prayers, works, joys and sufferings to God and remember, it was on a Sunday that Jesus rose from the dead.
Reflection
Lord Jesus, thank you for the Sabbath and Monday, Tuesday… Accept my works and prayers as a small humble token of my love for you.
Prayer: God’s Guidance (Book of Hours 1514)
God be in my head and in my understanding,
God be in my eyes and in my looking,
God be in my mouth and in my speaking,
God be in my heart and in my thinking,
God be at my end and at my departing.
