God's Purpose vs. Man's Rules

Introduction

Several years ago Barbara and I went to a local ice cream establishment. I had a coupon which would allow us to purchase 2 yogurt Sundaes for the price of one. We entered the establishment and showed the clerk the coupon and placed our order. She informed us that the yogurt machine was not working. Making a quick scan of the menu, I noticed that the price of the ice cream Sundae and the yogurt Sundae was exactly the same. So I said just make it two ice cream Sundaes. She refused. She said the coupon was for yogurt Sundaes and she would gladly make those, but the machine was broken. I thought about that for a moment and made the obvious plain that since the price for both the ice cream Sundae and the yogurt Sundae was the same and since the yogurt machine was broken and since we as patrons wanted to eat, I couldn’t understand her reasoning. I was assured that the management would not allow such a substitution. Sometimes we allow the rules to get in the way.

A 4 year old knows how to have fun. Too many rules upsets the joy of playing the game. What delight is there in a vacation that is regimented by the clock. The paper route I threw as a teen had specific directions about how that route was to be delivered. But after doing the task over and over, I learned that there were ways to save time and effort and still get the job done. I’m glad that my employer allowed that kind of latitude. Some companies allow little flexibility and keep their employees from really enjoying the labor of their hands.

Sometimes religious rules can keep us from God. In our text this morning, the point of contention between Jesus and the religious leaders is the Sabbath. Jesus isn’t violating God’s rules, but he does go against the man made rules of tradition and custom. And sometimes folks don’t like having their rules stretched. Jesus isn’t trying to push any hot buttons. He is trying to get the religious leaders to think differently, but they are unwilling. We are going to look at these two stories and be encouraged to stay close to God’s rules while not adding our own.

Eating and Healing

Jesus and his disciples are walking through a field one Sabbath day. Perhaps they are on their way to the synagogue. As they go through the field they pull the heads of grain off and eat the grain. The Pharisees question why Jesus allows his disciples to violate the law on the Sabbath? What law are they referring to? It wasn’t God’s law. In Deuteronomy 23:25, God allowed them to do what they were doing. They are referring to their law. In order to keep any work from happening on the Sabbath additional rules defining work had been formed. Those who were serious about honoring God would follow these man made rules, because these rules were designed to eliminate the possibility of disobeying God.

Jesus answers their question with a reference to King David and his men eating the sacred bread in 1 Samuel 21. In other words, Jesus is saying that just as David and his men could “break the law” because of hunger, then Jesus and his men could do the same thing. But Jesus is not giving approval to the man made laws. He is instead putting himself on the same plane as David. He is also saying that people are more important than laws. People are more important than religious duties. Human needs take precedence over rules. It is wrong to make rules which try to keep people from taking care of the basic needs of life. Jesus reconfirms what had been forgotten—the Sabbath was given to help man, not to bind him up.

To make sure Jesus’ point isn’t lost, Mark tells the story of the healing of a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath. In this story, Jesus confronts the religious leaders with the real issue which is at stake—Is God for health or for death? Does it matter to God that suffering stop or should suffering continue? Is God more interested in a person being set free or being enslaved? Mark tells us that the religious leaders are watching Jesus closely (3:2) so that they could accuse him.

Jesus is aware of the trap. He is aware that all eyes are on him. So he confronts. Notice how Jesus handled this. He deliberately called the man with the withered hand out into the center, turned a spotlight on the man, said, “I don’t want any of you to miss this. Come here.” And the man stood out there for all to see. While he was standing there, Jesus turned to the Pharisees, and asked two very penetrating questions. He said, in effect, “You’re concerned about the Sabbath, aren’t you? Let me ask you: whose thoughts are nearer to the purpose of the Sabbath—yours or mine?” For he read their thoughts. “I want to do good to this man, while you want to harm me. I want to save this man and heal him; you’re thinking of killing me. Now, which is in line with the Sabbath?” Mark says they were silent. No wonder!

Jesus waits for an answer. There is none. He is angry. Why? Because of the hardness of their hearts. Is there any doubt that Mark uses that phrase so that the reader will think of Pharaoh. In fact, the Greek words for Pharisee and Pharaoh are very similar. Notice, too, that Jesus tells the man to stretch out his hand. He doesn’t touch the man or his hand. In this way, no work is involved. How can it be work if no one is actually doing anything except reaching out his hand. The Pharisees leave the synagogue and meet up with the Herodians in order to plot how they might kill Jesus. Who are the Herodians? The Pharisees love the law and in their desire to keep it pure despised what Rome was doing in their homeland. The Herodians loved the power and wanted to do all they could to keep their power with Rome’s help. Two different values working together to kill. Jesus’ words are true. Is it lawful to kill or to save? Any other time the answer would be obvious, but when one’s rules are being violated then the answer gets a little blurry.

So What?

Two brief lessons from these stories. First, human needs are more important than rules. God’s rules aid us in meeting needs. Manmade rules are not always concerned about human beings and needs. Insurance companies have rules about health care. One must go to Primary Care Physician before going to a specialist. If my back is hurting, I want to go to my chiropractor not my General Practitioner. Some rules continue suffering. Jesus said human needs take precedence over rules. Is this possible in a congregational setting? Sure it is. In our attempt to protect God’s holiness we make additional rules to help keep us in line. Such rules will eventually produce burdens and bitterness.

This leads to the second point. We must be vigilant in our willingness to constantly evaluate our religious practices. Do not misunderstand, I am not calling into question any practice we currently do. But I am saying that if we do not constantly look at what we do and why we do these things, we are destined to become complacent and satisfied and protective and stubborn in our hearts. Such leads to arrogance and pride. Several years ago, a recent convert began to ask me a number of questions. Some of those questions were invaluable as they allowed me to see our assembly from a different perspective. Why do you have two prayers? Why are we quiet during the Lord’s Supper? Is anyone else given an opportunity to speak? You see we have our own traditions and customs. We may be comfortable with our assembly. I do not want to be misunderstood. I am not pushing for changes, but I am trying to get us to think. If we become protective of our “ways” which are manmade then we have crossed the line from those who are listening to God to those who are stubborn of heart.

God’s view has not changed. He is still deeply distressed with stubborn hearts which seek only to protect custom, tradition, and manmade rules rather than seeking Him with all our hearts. May God give us the wisdom and courage to be more concerned with people than with our rules and regulations.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.