Because He Said So - Mark 2:23 - 3:6

The Pharisees were turning the law into a heavy yoke; they fell into the trap of letting tradition replace God's Word. Jesus expressed the spirit of the law. He heals a man on the Sabbath, and they plot to kill him.

On judgment day, don't weep for the prostitute, weep for the self-righteous, weep for the unfaithful pastor. 

Jesus was willing to heal the man with the withered hand, but asked him to stretch out his hand, an act of choice, of faith. If you don't know how God's going to provide, take a step of faith!

The Pharisees were originally reacting to the influence of Greek thought on their young people; they were protecting their kids. They started with great intentions, but it went too far. How to avoid this downward spiral ourselves? Consistently come before the Lord! Stay in his word daily, and pray! The Word corrects us when we are wrong. Jesus is the authority! We decide DAILY who is on the throne, and it must be the Lord. 

When Jesus said "It is finished," that is authoritative. You ARE forgiven. He died for 100% of your sins! Although Satan will accuse you on the day of your judgement, if your name is in the book of life, you are in Heaven, end of story. Jesus has the final say, the final authority!

The Sabbath was made for man, not vice-versa. It is made for us to rest. Jesus said come to him and he will give us rest. Our Sabbath rest is when we come to him, so our Sabbath is all the time, not just on Sundays! The peace he gives us is deep and otherworldly. There's a restoration and soul rest... sabbath is but a glimpse of what's God has for us in eternity!