LOVE, NOT RULES
- Key Verse
- "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
We often get more caught up in following rules than in working on our relationship with the Lord and our own heart. We do not sin, necessarily, just because we miss a church service. We sin when we do not pursue Him and show His love to others.
Reflections
How many people think being a Christian involves going to church, joining a small group, and abstaining from certain things? That is the perception of many, particularly nonbelievers. They view Christians as people who have decided to attend church regularly and attempt to avoid engaging in certain behaviors, or, in other words, people who try to "follow the rules." While people recognize that Christians are not always successful in such attempts, they may acknowledge that Christians at least are trying to "clean up their lives."
We believers can be guilty of this, too. How many of us think it is enough merely to go to church? Or, have you been tempted to think that you are holier if you are involved in church activities or giving a little financially? We often feel guilty if we miss church or some activity, even if there is a good reason. Why?
Jesus makes it clear that it should not be so. The Pharisees criticized the disciples for engaging in certain activities on the Sabbath. In today's terms, that would be like criticizing someone for missing church on a particular Sunday. Jesus informed the Pharisees that they were missing the point. The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. We were made to worship Him. We were not made so that we can "make it to a building" at a certain place or time. And we do not need to spend our time concerned about abiding by and complying with certain religious laws and rules. As believers in Christ, we are to worship and love God and to love others. One of the ways in which we demonstrate that we love God and others is by how we treat people and tend to their needs.
Discussion Questions
1. Jesus tells the Pharisees in Matthew 22:36-40 that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and the second, which He says is like it, is to love your neighbor as yourself. He says the whole Law depends on these two commandments. How are you doing in abiding by these commandments?2. How will others know that you are a Christian? Because you go to church or engage in Christian activities? Christ tells us that people will know that we are Christians when we love one another: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
3. What "rules" have you felt guilty about breaking lately? In the context of today's passage, is that something about which you should feel guilty?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who did Jesus say the Sabbath was for? Talk about this weekend and how you can make your Sabbath day restful and worshipful.
jeremy ley
May 5, 2010 05:41 AM
A real breath of fresh air! Many thanks!
Carlton Kupp
May 5, 2010 07:42 AM
Doug, Good insight into this passage. I need the reminder to not judge other's walk with Christ, but look only at how close I am following Him.
Sue Bohlin
May 5, 2010 08:46 AM
I think you nailed the point of this passage, Doug. What an amazing statement that the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around! Some years ago, I recorded in my "wisdom journal" my friend's account of what she heard from the Lord during a worship service. She was sitting there feeling frazzled and defeated by how hard it had been to get three little girls dressed up and ready for church without her husband's help, just so she could check off going to church on her "good little Christian" list. She said, "I don't remember anything about the sermon that day, but I will never forget the Lord speaking to my heart: 'Susan, you don't HAVE to go to church to check it off your to-do list. When you come to worship Me, it's a gift from Me to you--and you don't have to accept it, you don't have to open it. You are free to pass on the gift, to take it or not take it.' It completely changed the way I view church. Instead of thinking, 'Oh, I have to go to church today,' I now think, 'Do I want to accept the Lord's gift or not?' And sometimes I say no, but most of the time I gladly receive going to church as a gift from my loving Father." This has helped me see the exhortation to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together" (Heb. 10:25) as the gift that it is, not as yet another hoop to jump through. God loves us and knows what will delight our souls! And the Sabbath, the day of rest and worship, is one of those things.
Diane Sims
May 5, 2010 10:17 AM
Doug THANK YOU for the perfectly explained need for RELATIONSHIP over acts! As I thought through letting go of the guilt of missing "events" and focused on loving God and loving others, I realized that again God's will is much easier to and lighter to carry out. He is good!