23/05/2026
SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Sunday, May 24
RBT Passage: Nehemiah 11-13
THE LORD OF THE SABBATH
Memory Verse: "Then he said to them. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27-28, NIV
Text: Mark 2:23-28
Mark 2:23-28 NIV
[23] One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.
[24] The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
[25] He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
[26] In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
[27] Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
[28] So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
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Sabbath means to rest from labour. It is also a day to be spent in worship and reverence to God. In the Mosaic Law, strict regulations were laid down regarding its observance. It was observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, during which no work or creative labour was done. However, the Early Church changed the Sabbath to Sunday in commemoration of the resurrection of Christ, by whom the work of redemption was completed.
Jesus' disciples picked grain as they were passing through a field on the Sabbath to feed their hungry stomachs. This action offended the Pharisees, who strictly observed the Sabbath law. While defending His disciples, Jesus reminded the Pharisees that King David ate the bread reserved for priests when he was hungry. Jesus also told them that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way round. Sabbath's law against work was to ensure people rested on the Sabbath, not to let people starve. Therefore, Jesus was just letting His disciples get food on the Sabbath.
The Lord of the Sabbath has authority in heaven and on earth to do what is just and right. When we submit to Jesus' authority and obey His instructions, we can never offend the law, as our lifestyle has already fulfilled the intention of the law.
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Insight: The Lord of the Sabbath is greater than the Sabbath.
Prayer: Father, help me to live in submission to Jesus' authority daily.