Today’s scripture: Mark 2:23-28 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
I’ve always loved this story. So many things that happen in the Gospels or so many parables that Jesus tells aren’t exactly straightforward. But this story seems pretty straightforward to me. Jesus’ disciples are hungry so they pick some grain. I’m totally on board with Jesus in this discussion. To say that what the disciples did was harvesting — give me a break, Pharisees!
It’s interesting that I have such a strong reaction to this story and the Pharisee’s desire to “catch” Jesus in a bending of a law, but yet in real world incidents I’m not so flexible. How often have I been a Pharisee calling out someone who isn’t sticking to the rules exactly as I think they should be?
I’m reminded of a time when I was in high school. I went to a conservative Christian school and the rules said that if any girl in the school got pregnant, she was immediately expelled. No questions asked.
One young lady who was only a few weeks from her senior graduation fell into that circumstance. She confided in a friend and the friend informed her parents and the parents informed the school. By the time this all came to light we were two weeks away from graduation with only finals between this girl and her high school diploma — but the school wouldn’t let her take her exams and wouldn’t let her graduate.
The rules were the rules, the leaders explained. At the time, I felt bad for my friend who couldn’t graduate, but I agreed with the leaders. I was dogmatic about following the rules. My thinking was that if the rules were broken there had to be consequences. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Since that time, I’ve relaxed a bit and I understand better that rules are created for the people and not the people for the rules. That is what Jesus tells us in this story in Mark. But I still struggle with my Pharisee nature at times. When I’m tempted to judge someone in that way, I think about that girl from high school. It breaks my heart that in the name of Jesus someone could be treated so poorly. I don’t want to be like that.
Instead I want to have the heart of Jesus, who says people are more important than rules. In looking back at the situation in high school, I think it would have been the loving thing to do to let that girl graduate and show her compassion. Enforcing the rule didn’t help her — instead it took a bad situation and made it worse.
Every time you are tempted to put the rules ahead of another human being, remember my friend, and remember Jesus’ example.
Thought for the day: Who do I want to be: the Pharisees or Jesus? The rules are made for the people and not the people for the rules.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.