Sabbath Fences, Sabbath Gates

We worship with Jesus in the field and in the synagogue.  Jesus debates with his fellow Jewish leaders about God's gift of the Sabbath.  The Pharisees and legal experts were trying to fence up the law, protecting it and their community. Jesus argued that the gift of rest and restoration for all of creation should not limit life and wholeness.  Sabbath should not prevent God's people from sharing food to with hungry or from healing to those who are ill.  For Jesus' disciples today, this story tells us something about the life-giving gift of Sabbath and about our own desire to put fences up around our the rules.  Every fence should have a gate.