Proper Context for Provision

Scripture: Then he told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

Observation: It is Jesus' violation of the Sabbath that will get him in the most direct 'trouble' with the Pharisees. In this passage, his disciples are picking heads of raw grain, which is considered harvesting ... expressly forbidden work. Jesus justifies it with a recount of David eating the bread of presence. In other words, in a time of need and hunger, human need outweighs laws.

However, Jesus' summary about the Sabbath provides a different context. He clarifies that the Sabbath is a gift to mankind. In is a day in which we are allowed to completely and totally rest, in the trust that the Lord will provide - even has already provided - for our needs that day. We do not need to be self-sufficient ever, and the Sabbath is the day of rest that proves this fact, for we absolutely do not provide for ourselves that day and yet we have what we need.

And that is exactly what the disciples are experiencing. They are hungry, and behold, the Lord has provided grain for them to casually eat - to pluck without even breaking stride - right there where they are. They aren't going out of their way to find food, or going into a field to labor. They are just taking a stroll, and the Lord has given a food source within arm's reach. It is a situation of total provision ... yet the Pharisees challenge it because they have wrapped layers and layers of definitions around the concept of "working", and lost sight of the majesty of the Lord and how he works out his will and purposes all around us.

Yes, the Sabbath is a day that allows us to honor the Lord by keeping him central in our hearts, through a reminder of his love and provision. Yet it is also a day of rest the Lord has gifted to us, where we can enjoy that love and provision by understanding the wonder of how, when, and where he works to give us his love and provision.

Application: I know my job is one form of provision of the Lord. I am so very thankful that I don't do my job seven days a week ... my work provides plenty for me to then enjoy weekends and fully relax at least one day a week. Due to my wife's job as a pastor, we do not always get a true Sabbath day together, but I do rest abundantly most Sundays.

I recognize God in the provisions all around me, and absolutely know that none of it was provided by me through some knowledge, skill, or ability of mine. Perhaps this is the best thing about me being generally directionless in my career ... I can never claim that I am personally good enough at anything to be the provider of a good life.

The Lord has given me everything. In my times of rest, I know he has given me even that as well, along with the resources to enjoy the rest. May my rest to be tribute to him.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you again for the provisions of my life, for I know you are my provider, with all I have being an overflow of your love. May my life somehow honor you. Amen.