redfining sabbath

When I think of how the Sabbath was honored and kept holy in first century Palestine I think of things like spitting, mixing up mud, and washing being in the "allowable actions" category. Things like holding court proceedings, well those I think of as being "not allowable actions." So it surprises me in the story of the man blind from birth (mbfb) that the Pharisees go through the elaborate actions of calling witnesses and deliberating whether Jesus has broken the Sabbath on the Sabbath.

I read the story of the mbfb as a large indictment against the Pharisees' narrow interpretation of the Law; our way or the highway. Even in Jesus' answer to his disciples, "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work" I read as a redefinition of Sabbath; it is not a day of the week but rather a way of living. Though it is most certainly Saturday morning when Jesus mixes up the mud and heals the mbfb it is not the Sabbath as the sun has not yet set on his calling from God. Rest is not an option for Jesus as this time; the sun is still high in the Friday afternoon sky for Jesus. It is not until he dines with his disciples on Passover that the Sabbath will come for Jesus.

Yet for the Pharisees, by their strict definition, the Sabbath is from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. So their pseudo-trial on what I can only assume to be Saturday afternoon is curious. They seem to be breaking their own law in order to condemn a man for breaking said law. It makes not sense; which seems to be the point. God is beyond Law; even over and above the 10 Commandments when necessity arises. The immediacy of this man's condition and the teaching opportunity made available by healing the mbfb is too perfect for the God-man to worry about what day of the week it is. Instead, Jesus heals the mbfb physically AND spiritually.

Jesus redefine Sabbath here. He calls into question human interpretation of God's Law/God's Will and says, God will make it clear to you what is right and good; do those things, live in the light, and rejoice. And still, the Pharisees remain blind.