In our Gospel (Mark 2:23-28), we see the Pharisees trying to trip Jesus up and complain about His disciples. The disciples were seen plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath and technically, according to the letter of the law at the time, they would have been in violation.
Jesus reminded them that and exception was made for David desperate time of extreme hunger when he ate bread in the priests presence on the Sabbath. This bread was not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, yet it was given to David anyway.
Jesus tells them that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."
The Sabbath wasn't instituted to be an extra burden on the people, it was a way to make them rest and honor, remember and celebrate God and His goodness. The Sabbath was created to give us pause for rest and reflection. Jesus reminds the Pharisees of this and reminds them that human needs (real hunger) take precedence over the custom and social norms of the day.
Jesus is showing us and reminding us that we must look at the spirit and intent of the law, not just the letter of it in some situations. Allowing someone to suffer by not letting them pick food to eat just because it is the Sabbath is NOT a way to honor, remember and celebrate God.
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