JESUS, THE LORD OF THE SABBATH
Luke 6:1-1
SPECIAL CELEBRATION DAYS AND TIMES
V:6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
This text takes place after the second week of the Passover Festival (Exodus 12:16) Between the first and second weeks after the Passover festival was the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6) in which no bread was to be prepared with yeast.
God has special times He set aside for us to celebrate our deliverance from the bondage
of sin. He stepped down out of heaven in the person of His Son to atone for our sins
with his blood of sacrifice on the cross. Today we celebrate His birth (Christmas)
and His death and resurrection (Easter). Every Sunday is our Holy day of rest.
The Israelites celebrate their release from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Lamb
blood was brushed on the doorpost of each of their houses the night before
their deliverance. Bitter herbs and unleavened bread were the last meal of
slavery. The death angel passed over each of their homes on its way to kill
the firstborn of every Egyptian family. The Sabbath day (our Saturday)
was set aside by God to commemorate the day He rested from the work of
creation.
DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS FOR DIFFERENT
FOLK
V:2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
No work was to be done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees watch Jesus closely with
the intent to find something to accuse Him. They knew the law but applied it wrong
to Jesus.
Exodus 12:16
16 On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat — that is all you may do.
They used the law as a hammer for Jesus but not for themselves.
The rubbing of the corn to get kernels off was the preparation to eat. No cooking
was done by the disciples. Yet Pharisees considered it work for
condemnation.
The first question I have is why were the Pharisees walking in a cornfield.
If they were to rest on the Sabbath, why were they walking? They violated their
interpretation of the law by working to condemn Jesus on the Sabbath.
We have to be careful that we don’t use scripture to condemn another
person we have issues with. Before we use scripture we must be sure we understand
it in the context it was given.
GOD’S EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW
V:3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did when himself was hungered, and they which were with him;
V:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
David was a man after God’s own heart, The Pharisees knew King David and
probably held him in high esteem. They probably knew the scripture concerning
God’s selection of David as King.
1 Samuel 13:14-15
14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord's command."
If David ate what God dedicated to the Priest because he and his men were hungry,
which was not lawful under certain circumstances and was not condemned, what sin did Jesus' disciples commit by eating corn on the Sabbath which was lawful ( I Samuel 21:1-6)? Jesus had a way of showing unbelievers, God's compassion for His people. By comparison, the Pharisees showed no compassion.
Jesus properly interpreted the commands of God and applied them appropriately.
The Pharisees took scripture out of context and applied it to fit their agenda.
We must be careful not to condemn others by our standard of righteousness.
By the standards we use to judge others, we will be judged.
THE AUTHOR AND CONTROLLER OF OUR TIME
V:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Jesus claimed His deity, His position, and His authority before an unbelieving
group. His deity is the Son of God, His position, The Son of Man. His authority,
the Lord of the Sabbath.
The agenda of the Pharisees was to deny His deity, reject His position, and
denounce His authority. The Word is the authority whether we like it or not. The Word is the authority whether it fits our agenda or not.
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28)
God used the Sabbath to give man rest and a chance to reflect and be refreshed. How many times do we schedule God’s dedicated time of rest out of our week?
COMPASSION IS WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHAT YOU
SAY
V:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
You don't go into God's house with vengeance on your mind. It is a place of
worship, not a place of judgment. You don't go into God's house with hatred
on your mind. It is a place of love, grace, and mercy. You don't go into God's house
with deception in your mind, It is a place of truth.
Those who oppose you will never learn anything from your experience. The Pharisees
were so focused on their agenda that they could not rejoice on the expectation that one of their people would be healed of his affliction.
We ought to rejoice when others are blessed. The Pharisees and the scribes knew
Jesus would heal. They, the religious leaders, sought to condemn Jesus for His
mercy.
THE HOLY DAY IS NOT REST FROM DOING GOOD
V:8 But he knew their thoughts and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Jesus uses our afflictions to give God glory and show His love for the welfare
of His followers. Jesus designed our troubles to show the world His power and
authority over all circumstances and that they are for the good of those who
love Him.
Since God is in our midst all the time, we must have a listening ear and be ready
to follow His instructions. The man with the withered hand was in the right
place at the right time. We must expect when we are in God’s house something
good is going to happen to us. We must come in prayer with a humble spirit
bringing our petitions with thanksgiving.
DON’T HESITATE TO RESPOND WHEN GOD
SPEAKS
V:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
When Jesus shows up, He will show out for believers and nonbelievers.
Believers need to reflect on the miracles of God and be encouraged.
Nonbelievers need to see and understand God's Power and be drawn
to Him.
Obedience to God’s commands brings blessing into our lives. We are the
showcase of God's works in our lives. Others need to see and hear our
testimonies. What God does for us He will do to others who believe.
Jesus did not ask the man did he believed. The man's actions the evidence
that he did. He was obedient to the command of Jesus and a showcase of
His power over our health.
DON’T EXPECT EVERYONE TO APPROVE WHAT
YOU DO FOR GOD
V:11 And they were filled with madness, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Don’t get upset when the disapproval comes from those you want to help or
those who are close to you. The devil influences everyone from time to time.
The devil and his demons are never satisfied with God’s work in your life.
Glorify God continuously so that when the devil shows up you can remind yourself
of who is in control of your life. It would be good if we rejoice during our
trials and tribulations.
No comments:
Post a Comment