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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.”

One day Jesus and His disciples were walking through a field of grain. As they walked they picked some heads of grain to eat. The religious leaders asked, “Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Jewish tradition had added many man-made laws to the requirements of the Old Testament. The carrying out of these additions was burdensome.

In response to their confrontation Jesus appealed to the Old Testament where King David and his companions were given consecrated bread to eat. This bread was reserved for priests only. Jesus reasoned that if David could eat consecrated bread surely He could eat grain on the Sabbath. Then He took the conversation to another level.

Jesus explained that He was much greater than King David. He was the Son of Man. He was the Anointed One — the Messiah. He was the Lord. His authority superseded man-made laws. He is the Lord of the Sabbath. Man-made laws are always burdensome, but when we follow the Lord of the Sabbath we live in the freedom of His grace and authority. Be sure you are following the Lord of the Sabbath and not the laws of man.

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord. You rule with authority. I submit to Your rule in my life. You are the Lord of the Sabbath. Be the Lord of me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

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