Gospel of Mark Bible Part 15: Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath [Bible Study]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
Bible Study Title: The Lord of the Sabbath – Freedom in Christ
Scripture Focus: Mark 2:23-28
Opening Prayer
Ask God to help you worship Him in truth, to keep you from adding man-made traditions to His Word, and to rest in Christ, the true Lord of the Sabbath.
Introduction
Religious leaders often accused Jesus of breaking the rules—rules they claimed came from God, but were often rooted in man-made tradition. In this passage, Jesus corrects the Pharisees’ misunderstanding of the Sabbath, revealing its true purpose and His authority over it.
Bible Reading
Read Mark 2:23-28, then compare with Matthew 12:1-8 and Luke 6:1-5.
Section 1 – Confrontation in the Grainfields
The Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath by plucking grain.
This act was not unlawful according to God’s Word, but it violated rabbinical tradition.
Jesus responded with Scripture, pointing to David eating the consecrated bread (1 Samuel 21:1-6) and explaining the higher principle of mercy over ritual.
Discussion Questions:
How do traditions sometimes overshadow God’s Word in churches today?
How did Jesus use Scripture to correct the Pharisees?
Section 2 – The Sabbath Was Made for Man
The Sabbath was first given to Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:23-30).
It was a gift for rest and reflection, not a burden (Deuteronomy 5:15).
In the New Covenant, true rest is found in Christ Himself (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-10).
Reflection: How can we make sure our times of rest and worship focus on God rather than rules?
Section 3 – The Son of Man Is Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus had authority to interpret the Sabbath because He gave it in the first place (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17).
Higher laws—like mercy—can override lower ceremonial regulations.
As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus could also bring the Sabbath requirement to an end (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:14-17).
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean for Jesus to be “Lord of the Sabbath”?
How does this truth free us from legalism?
Section 4 – Worship in the New Covenant
Believers are not bound by Old Covenant Sabbath laws (Romans 14:5-6; Colossians 2:16-17).
The early church gathered on the first day of the week in celebration of the resurrection (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
Our focus should be on worshiping Christ, not the day itself.
Reflection: How can we keep our worship gatherings Christ-centered rather than tradition-centered?
Memory Verse
Mark 2:27 – “The Sabbath was made for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the Sabbath.”
Closing Challenge
The Sabbath pointed to the rest we find in Christ. In Him, we are freed from the burdens of man-made religion and called into true worship. Let us rest in the Lord of the Sabbath, obeying His commands and not elevating traditions above His Word.
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