Christ’s disciples felt hungry because they had no riches. They prayed to their Father, “Give us this day our daily bread,” and trusted God and His daily providence, believing that He would turn men’s hearts into streams of water.
As the disciples waited for God’s gifts, they began to pick the kernels of wheat because they were hungry. This is not considered stealing since the Old Testament law legally permitted the taking of what is necessary for food when one is hungry, but to collect it into containers is considered stealing. According to the New Testament, it is not considered appropriate to touch what belongs to others.
The Pharisees did not complain about the disciples plucking heads of grain, but for taking and rubbing them on the Sabbath day, which they considered as work. This was, according to their understanding, a violation of the Sabbath and was deserving death. Keeping the Sabbath day was one of the great symbols that connected them with their covenant with the Lord, who had separated them and preferred them to other peoples.
But Christ, in His prudence, explained to them, through the example of David and the priests, that the commandment to love God and men is greater than the commandment to keep the Sabbath. He compared His disciples with priests and kings, for those poor in spirit were, in fact, God’s spiritual kings and priests. They also belonged to the New Testament, the provisions of which are different from the old one. Thus Christ called Himself the Lord of the Sabbath, for He had brought a new law – the law of love. The heavenly lawgiver teaches us in this law that man is not justified by keeping the commandments, but only by the grace of the blood of the Lamb of God. Christ’s teachings consecrate us to serve with love and joy, even on the Sabbath. It is by love that we are sanctified.
The notable indication that Christians are not under the obligation of the law and its provisions, is their keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath day. Sunday is the day on which Christ rose from His tomb conquering death. Sunday is the symbol of the divine life proclaimed in Christ’s resurrection. It is at the same time the instrument of our freedom from the Mosaic Law requirements. We know that we are not justified by keeping neither the Sabbath day nor Sunday, for cursed is he that seeks justification by law, but he who participates in Christ’s Spirit and life shall live and be sanctified every day and forever. It is not the days that are holy in Christianity, but the believers themselves. Christ does not sanctify times and seasons, but He sanctifies His followers that they may walk holy all the days of the week and not only on Saturday or Sunday.