Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

The Measure of Piety
Read Mark 2:23–3:6

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. Mark 3:4

The series of conflict stories started in Mark 2:1-12 are brought to a climactic end in this passage where the opposition comes from the religious authorities – the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.

Sabbath observance was a distinguishing mark of Jews as the people of God. By the first century, there were comprehensive regulations governing Sabbath. The idea was to leave nothing to chance, and by legislating on every circumstance, the faithful were protected from breaking the laws unintentionally. Some rabbis taught that humans were created for the Sabbath. In these two stories, Jesus demonstrates how absurd this teaching is.

The Pharisees faulted Jesus on what He should not do on Sabbath, but Jesus demonstrated otherwise. Clearly to leave the man unhealed (vs 1-6), when Jesus had the power to heal, was to do evil. To do good on the Sabbath by healing the man was obviously the right course of action, and surely the Sabbath law did not forbid it. Similarly, it is so easy for us to pay so much attention to the outward expression of religion, focussing on form rather than substance.

Like the Pharisees, we can fall into the trap of measuring our piety according to what we do not do – kill, murder, lie and cheat – but yet deep within us we harbour hatred, unforgiveness and envy towards others.

Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.