LORD OF THE SABBATH

Luke 6:1-11 / Keywords 6:5

Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

 

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

6:1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

1. The Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath law for they picked some heads of grain, rubbed them, and ate them. They interpreted the disciples’ rubbing as threshing and winnowing which were not permitted on the Sabbath. The Pharisees isolated the law from the God who gave the law out of love and grace. They focused only on keeping rules, neglecting the main purpose of the law that is to honor God and love others. Jesus defended his disciples and taught them God’s heart through the story of David. David ate the consecrated bread that was forbidden by the law. But God had mercy on him and restored David’s tired body and spirit. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He is merciful. He gives us rest.

2. Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on another Sabbath. Although the Pharisees watched over him Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand out of his shepherd heart. He taught that to do good and to save life were lawful on the Sabbath. We can show our love for him by doing good and saving life on the Sabbath.

Prayer Lord, help me find true rest in you and do good and save life.

One Word Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath