Both readings in today's liturgy emphasize the salvific role of Christ over the figures of the Old Testament. The message of Jesus, in Mark, is for all peoples. We are to confront our human problems not by blindly following some laws and maintaining certain structures but by doing good to those in need. This is why Jesus openly challenges the Pharisees' way of observing the law of the Sabbath. He challenges them more to do good than not, of "saving" a life than the mere observance of the law. Jesus shows us how inhuman was the practice of the law as taught by the Pharisees.

The narrative highlights a frequent idea in the teaching of the Gospel; the laws, the structures, though considered good in themselves were not so in relation to salvation and the well-being of the human person. They were not in accordance with the Gospel. Jesus in living His life teaches us to humanize the structures and laws that do not help us, humans. This is a radical characteristic of an authentic Christianity.