The Sabbath was made for man
Christ taught that “the Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. Some seem to think that since Jesus said this that we can choose not to keep it or choose our own day. But this is just another excuse for treading the Son of God underfoot. (Hebrews 10:26-29) Note also that Jesus did not say the Sabbath was made for “Jews.” He said the Sabbath was made for “man” meaning all people!
The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson
“The Sabbath was made for man. The Sabbath rest; that is, a rest of one day in seven was made for man, not for Jews only. This implies that it is to be a universal institution; that the good of man requires it, and that it is not an arbitrary enactment, but a wise and benevolent provision for the welfare of the race. Experience shows that men are happiest, most moral, most prosperous and healthiest where it is devoutly observed.”
Man was made on the sixth day and the only reason we have a seventh day of the week is because God added it for a Sabbath rest for man. Hence the Sabbath was made for man at creation so what has changed? Absolutely nothing!
The fact is that all the Commandments were made for man. So does this mean we can choose to ignore all of the other Commandments as well? Obviously not!
So what was happening when Jesus said this?
The Pharisees assumed the Sabbath was made just for them so Jesus corrected them stating that the Sabbath was made to be a blessing for ALL man and not a day of legalistic rules that they had enforced. They had accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by picking corn for sustenance and so Jesus pointed out that the Sabbath was made to be a blessing to man and not a burden.
This statement of Jesus in Mark 2:27 is not some magical subclause that annuls the fourth Commandment!
Picking corn on the Sabbath for nourishment was a necessity. It was not wrong for Jesus to heal the sick and to meet human needs on His Holy Day. (Matthew 12:10-12) 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 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.
