Sabbath was Made for Man Meaning
It seems some have decided that since Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath that we do not have to obey the fourth Commandment. The secular law that declares we cannot murder was also made for mankind. So I wonder if these same people think they can choose to murder since this law was also made for man. I can assure you that they will end up behind bars if they decide that since this law was made for man that they can choose to disobey it.
The fact is the Sabbath was made for all mankind at creation when no one can deny it had to be kept. So what has changed? Not a thing!
It is also fact that all Ten Commandments were made for man. So can we choose to disobey the Commandment that says do not worship idols? What about adultery or murder? Obviously not. So why on earth do some think that the words of Jesus that says the Sabbath was made for mankind and not mankind for the Sabbath are some magical words that end the Commandment. I believe that would be mocking God and His law and something He would not take to kindly to.
The Pharisees had also erroneously assumed that the Sabbath was made just for them so Jesus corrected them saying the Sabbath was made to be a blessing for ALL mankind and not a day of legalistic rules that they had turned it into. Note that Jesus says the Sabbath was made for man and not the Sabbath was made for the Jew. Read also is the Sabbath only for the Jews. The Greek word for man here is anthropos, which literally means “a person,” being a generic term that includes men, women and children. The word “mankind” would more accurately reflect the meaning of anthropos. The Sabbath was designed and ordained by a loving Creator for the welfare of ALL humanity.
It is apparent that most who quote the Sabbath was made for man as an excuse to disobey God have no idea what Jesus was saying and why. To begin with, Jesus said that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:12) So if your sheep fell in a hole then it would be lawful to get it out as Jesus explained. It is also lawful for emergency workers, doctors and nurses etc to work on the Sabbath as this is a necessity that cannot be avoided. This is also why Jesus said that those who worked in the temple service on the Sabbath day were blameless. This was a service that was required to every hour of the day until such time as Jesus Himself replaced the temple service by becoming our one and final perfect sacrifice ending the sacrificial law. (Mosaic Law)
When Jesus said the Sabbath was made for mankind, He was saying the Sabbath was created to be a blessing to man and not a set of legalistic rules that the Pharisees had turned it into. How many times did Jesus rebuke them for this? And what about eating a meal on the Sabbath? Is it a blessing if we are to go hungry? What about picking an apple of the tree for lunch on the Sabbath? The point is that it was lawful for Jesus to be picking corn for a meal on the Sabbath. Eating is a necessity and the Sabbath would not be a blessing to man if you had to go hungry now would it?
So what we first find in Mark chapter 2 is the Pharisees accusing Jesus of blasphemy for saying, “your sins be forgiven you” (Mark 2:5-7) to the man sick with palsy. Were the Pharisees right? Of course not. Jesus was not guilty of blasphemy as He is the Son of God.
A little later in the chapter the Pharisees once again accuse Jesus. This time they accused Jesus for breaking the Sabbath because He and the disciples were picking corn for sustenance. Were the Pharisees right this time? They were no more right about being able to have a meal of necessity then they were about Jesus being guilty of blasphemy. Jesus said, “Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered?” Mark 2:25. Note Jesus used the words “When he had need?” Things of necessity are lawful to do on the Sabbath and eating is a necessity. See also did Jesus break the Sabbath and become a sinner.
So the response of Jesus was the Sabbath was made for man. (Mark 2:27) That is, to be a blessing to mankind. Man was not created for the Sabbath day. The Sabbath was created for him and his benefit.
This chapter ends with Jesus saying, Mark 2:28 “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” Note that Jesus did not say I AM the Sabbath, or I am LORD Sabbath! Jesus said, “I am Lord OF the Sabbath!” Read also is Jesus the Sabbath.
So after Jesus stating the purpose of the Sabbath, (Mark 2:27) He directs attention to its author and creator and hence His right to determine how the purpose of it shall best be realized. Our Saviour Himself has the right to determine what is appropriate for the Sabbath day and the Pharisees were exceeding their prerogatives. (Mark 2:24) The Church does not have the right to load the Sabbath with oppressive restrictions as did the Pharisees, or to attempt to transfer its sacredness from one day to another. Both are devices of Satan to lure men away from the true spirit of Sabbath observance. Man does not have the right to tamper with the day of God's choosing whether he is Pharisee or a Christian. Thus the line of reasoning Jesus was setting before the Pharisees is as follows, which is more clearly shown by Matthews account.
(1) Human need is more important than human traditions or ritual requirements. (Matthew 12:3-4, Matthew 12:10-12)
(2) The work performed in connection with the Temple service is in keeping with the requirements of the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:5)
(3) Christ is greater than the Temple (Matthew 12:6) or the Sabbath day. (Matthew 12:8)
Hence Jesus stating that the Sabbath was made for mankind, that is, to be a blessing to man, is not some magical sub-clause that ends the Sabbath Commandment and I seriously question the genuineness of any such person quoting this as a means of avoiding loving obedience to their Lord and Saviour.
Jesus said that not even a comma of the law is going to change (Matthew 5:17-19) and Isaiah prophesied “The LORD … will MAGNIFY the law…” (Isaiah 42:21) not make the law less strict by allowing us to pick and choose if we want to obey a Commandment of God or not. God Commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8-10. See also the Sabbath was made for man.