Word@Work 024 - Mark 2:27-28
Published: Thu, 12/13/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 2:27-28 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." (NIV)
Normal people feel tired at the end of the day. We are supposed to! Despite the corporate eagerness to outdo colleagues in how long you stay at work, we are not designed to be perpetual motion machines. Only God can carry on for ever with the same energy and accuracy. So thinking that we can - amounts to idolatry.
Jesus made two big statements in this passage: about the purpose of God's rules, and who has the right to define what is right.
Secularists may think that God is trying to spoil everybody's fun. Religionists may think such spoilt fun is the payment to earn God's favour. But Christians know, or should know, that when God speaks He does so for our good - because He loves us. Working 24/7 is neither God honouring nor productive in the long run. One day off in seven for worship and recreation is God's way to keep us healthy. Ignore this, and suffer (as will others close to you).
The bigger statement is that as Jesus was God in a human body, He had the right to define His own instructions - and also to refute the false interpretations so loved by those who are missing the point. That is why the gospel narratives are so good at cutting though the mists of philosophy and religion. How about challenging a friend this week to read one of the Gospels.
Then let Jesus speak for himself!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your Word is designed for my good. Help me to take advantage of every blessing You promise by choosing to do what You say. Give me the courage to stop to listen to You, so that You can define my day and help me to encourage others to let You do the same. In Your Name, Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Normal people feel tired at the end of the day. We are supposed to! Despite the corporate eagerness to outdo colleagues in how long you stay at work, we are not designed to be perpetual motion machines. Only God can carry on for ever with the same energy and accuracy. So thinking that we can - amounts to idolatry.
Jesus made two big statements in this passage: about the purpose of God's rules, and who has the right to define what is right.
Secularists may think that God is trying to spoil everybody's fun. Religionists may think such spoilt fun is the payment to earn God's favour. But Christians know, or should know, that when God speaks He does so for our good - because He loves us. Working 24/7 is neither God honouring nor productive in the long run. One day off in seven for worship and recreation is God's way to keep us healthy. Ignore this, and suffer (as will others close to you).
The bigger statement is that as Jesus was God in a human body, He had the right to define His own instructions - and also to refute the false interpretations so loved by those who are missing the point. That is why the gospel narratives are so good at cutting though the mists of philosophy and religion. How about challenging a friend this week to read one of the Gospels.
Then let Jesus speak for himself!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your Word is designed for my good. Help me to take advantage of every blessing You promise by choosing to do what You say. Give me the courage to stop to listen to You, so that You can define my day and help me to encourage others to let You do the same. In Your Name, Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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