“The RoseBouquet”

Priorities. That’s what Jesus was teaching here. His disciples were hungry on a Sabbath and as they walked through a grainfield, they grabbed handsful of grain, rubbed them to loosen the chaff, perhaps blew on them to get rid of the chaff, and popped the grain into their mouths.

The ever legalistic and picky Pharisees saw this and rebuked Jesus for allowing His disciples to break their Sabbath-keeping rules.

This is where Jesus gave them a Scriptural answer, referring to stories in the Bible where others broke the dietary laws in a time of need. David and his men ate the dedicated shew bread in the temple at a time when they were hungry. Bread that was meant only for the priests. Secondly, the Levites work on the Sabbath, but are held innocent because of their purpose. They serve the Lord.

Jesus adds that if they knew what the words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” (spoken by God), they would not have condemned the disciples who were innocent, for He Himself, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath, or holy things.

Isn’t this interesting? Jesus says it is all right to break the rules to be merciful or kind to someone, or if it is to honour and obey Him.

I’m sure, if you are like me, you’ve broken some rules for selfish reasons, but can you think of times you broke the command to rest and only worship God on the Day of Rest? I mean, by being merciful to someone else, or to rescue someone from harm, or even to honour and obey His will?

PRAYER: Lord, I’m quite sure You don’t want us to fit such leeway into the command not to murder, but it is good to know that You are not hung up on splitting hairs on how to keep a command like the Sabbath rest. You know that serving in church on Sundays is often more physical work than I’ve done most days in the previous week. So is preparing meals for company. Still, there is value in resting - help me balance Your most excellent will with Your permissions.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Ruthe is afraid to tell her family back home for reasons of her own, and this leads her to live a double life. The pressures build. Sooner or later she has to take some of the advice she gives others, for she’s getting into serious trouble! Ruthe’s Secret Roses.