Alistair Begg opens the final episode of his Gospel‑of‑Mark series by asking a question that has echoed through the ages: does God accept us because we obey, or do we obey because we are accepted? He uses the story in Mark 2 to explore this tension.

Why Jesus Walked Through a Cornfield on the Sabbath?

In the first incident, Jesus and his disciples are walking through a cornfield on the Sabbath. The Pharisees see this as a violation of the law, because the Torah says that reaping is forbidden on the Sabbath (Deuteronomy 23:25). Begg explains that Jesus responds by reminding them that the Sabbath was given for humanity’s benefit, not to be a burden of rules.

What Did the Pharisees See in the Cornfield?

Beg Begg shows how the Pharisees’ reaction was not just about picking corn but about a deeper clash: the Pharisees believed that keeping the law was the key to acceptance with God, while Jesus was showing that acceptance comes through grace. The incident sets the stage for the Pharisees’ later plot with the Herodians to kill Jesus.

When Compassion Meets Law: The Shriveled Hand

In the second incident, a man with a shriveled hand is brought to Jesus on the Sabbath. The Pharisees watch silently, refusing to answer the question, “Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath?” Begg highlights Jesus’ reply that it is lawful to do good, and he heals the man, demonstrating that compassion should not be constrained by legalism.

The Question of Acceptance and Obedience

Throughout the discussion, Beg Begg frames the conflict as a deeper theological issue: does God accept us because we obey, or do we obey because we are accepted? He contrasts the Pharisees’ legalism with Jesus’ teaching that grace produces obedience, leaving listeners with a question that invites further reflection.

To hear how these questions unfold and to discover the fuller teaching behind the Gospel of Mark, listen to the complete episode of Truth For Life.