Why does Jesus seemingly contradict what He states in Mt 5:19 by later appearing to relax the Law of the Sabbath?

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In Matthew 5:19, Jesus states that anyone who relaxes (ESV) even the least of the commandments in the Law and teaches others to do the same would be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But then in several instances, with regard to the Sabbath, he seems to do just that.

In the Old Testament, the interpretation of the commandments is very strict. One little infraction, even if accidental could result in instant death. Jesus’ interpretation of some of the commandments seems to go beyond even what is given in the OT, e.g., even being angry with a brother can be considered worthy of judgment in the same way as murder, and even looking upon a woman in lust is equivalent to adultery.

But his view of the Sabbath seems quite different. He seems to be teaching to take a more “practical” view of the Sabbath.

In Mark 2:27, after being questioned about why it was apparently okay with him for his disciples to be plucking grain to eat from the fields they were passing through, he states that the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath.