As they walk through a grain field they pluck grains of wheat, rub them in their hands (essentially doing manually what a mill would do in bulk), and eating the grain. It was not lawful to "work" on the Sabbath; the disciples were not abiding by this commandment.
Let us try to side-step the particulars of the offense these particular actions caused and look at the general issue of how differently persons interpret what it is that God requires. Some issues may have been addressed in the Jesus stories, but most are not. And among God's people there continue to be arguments and disagreements as to what compliance means.
The things we consider essential will seem "logical" and "universally accepted." While the expectations of another may seem "petty". A whole different set of obligations may emerge from those who do not consider themselves Christians, but observe and discern from afar what Christianity is all about.
In the Luke 6 story, Jesus is wanting to teach the Pharisees something about the Sabbath. So, he clarifies the ways in which their understanding of what is expected could be adjusted. In other places, he would say to those giving offense that while there is nothing inherently "wrong" with our actions, we need to change for the sake of those who may be adversely influenced by our actions. Sometimes it doesn't matter if we are "right;" what matters is that we are giving offense and thus creating harm in the life of another.
Read Luke 6 and consider for yourself the actions of your day. Are they done both with an eye to God; and an eye to how they are affecting those who see God in us?
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