Break Don’t Bend
One sabbath [Jesus] was going through the cornfields; 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 … and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat.” – Mark 2:23-26a (NRSV)
In the movie Women Talking, a group of women from an isolated religious sect debate what to do in response to a series of rapes perpetrated by the men of their community—a systematic horror carried out over years.
Some of the women counsel forgiveness. Others insist they at least stay in the colony, as the rules require. But in the end, the group decides to leave.
As one character, Greta, explains, “Leaving is how we demonstrate our faith. We are leaving because our faith is stronger than the rules.”
It’s a truth that Jesus reminds the Pharisees of after his disciples pluck grain on the sabbath. And he points back to David, who broke the law by eating the priests’ bread.
As people of God, we stand in a long line of people who knew: the rules are made to be broken.
The rules of our cities and countries. Our families and churches. The little rules we make up in our hearts. Wherever and whenever they conflict with God’s rule of love, we must be ready to leave them behind.
Prayer
Give me a faith stronger than the rules.
About the AuthorVince Amlin is co-pastor of Bethany UCC, Chicago, and co-planter of Gilead Church Chicago, forming now.