"Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." ‐ Luke 6:5 (NIV)
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Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grain fields on the Sabbath day and the disciples were hungry. They were harvesting some grain to eat and Jesus let them. The Pharisees questioned the disciples of doing unlawful things on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them of how David entered the house of God, took the sacred bread ‐ which was only for priests, to eat together with his companions because they were hungry (v.1‐4).
On another Sabbath Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. There was a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see if Jesus would heal him so that they could accuse Him of breaking the law of Sabbath. Jesus did heal the man. He knew their thoughts. He asked every one of which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it (v.6‐10).
God in Isaiah 58:13 (NLT) says, "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly." It is the motive that counts. Whose interest do we pursue?
Honor the Sabbath in fact is not about following a set of rules, with the winner is the most obedient one who has never broken the laws. The Pharisees honored the law and valued legalistic behavior more than the True Savior Himself, Jesus Christ. They ignored His love behind the good deeds on Sabbath, but sought ways to destroy Him (v.11). They could not even admit the mighty power He had, although verse 19 describes, "Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone."
Let's delight in our Savior, Jesus Christ, for He is Lord of the Sabbath! (v.5). He is way higher than the laws. We are not perfect, but He understands. In terms of salvation, the religious rules do not save us, but Jesus does. Because we fail many times and incline to sin. Moreover, He is also Lord over any infirmities, even any demons (v.18).
Approaching the end of the passage, Jesus in verse 22‐23 said," What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven…" Amen, thank you Lord Jesus. To YOU be the glory forever and ever.
Reflection on Luke 6:1‐26 by Desire Litaay
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