One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.”

– Mark 2:23-27

I cannot imagine needing something to eat and not being able to lawfully eat available food. The Pharisees had burdened the Jews with many regulations about the sabbath observance and priestly rights.

Edges of fields were not to be harvested in order for travelers to pick some of the crops for sustenance. The law was written with a provision for needy people to have food. Farmers were not to harvest on the sabbath in order to curb greediness and to promote worship. Not harvesting on God’s day also benefited the workers; they had a day of rest.

The consecrated bread that David and his men ate was meant for the priests. Every Sabbath when the priests placed 12 loaves of bread in the Holy Place, they ate the old ones. Obviously there was always bread available and enough to share.

God planned the sabbath for mankind to have a time of spiritual, mental and physical restoration. God would not want someone to go hungry on a day that was meant for worship and gratitude. It is hard to focus on God’s goodness with an empty stomach! God desires us to show love and mercy by caring for each other; that means, in part, sharing food with those in need at any time.

PRAYER:

Holy and gracious God, thank you for the provision of a sabbath day on which to worship and reflect on your goodness and grace. Enable me to become aware of those in need and show me ways to care for them, whenever and wherever. In Jesus name, Amen.

– Sue Davis