Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

Date: Nov. 25, 2016

Passage

Luke 6:1-11 (ESV)

1 On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 3 And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” 5 And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:5

And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

First, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath?" (1-5). One Sabbath, the disciples picked and ate grain as they walked through grain fields. Picking and eating grain from a field was lawful (Dt. 23:25). However, the Pharisees categorized picking and rubbing grain as work and therefore, unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus pointed to David and his companions. In great need, they once ate bread meant only for the priests but were not condemned. Likewise, Jesus did not condemn his disciples but saw their actions as lawful. Jesus has authority to do so because he is Lord of the Sabbath.

Second, doing good on the Sabbath (6-11). On another Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue where there was a man with a shriveled hand. The religious officials watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal this man. Jesus asked them all whether it was lawful to do good or evil, to save or destroy life on the Sabbath. God does good and saves life regardless of the day of the week. Jesus healed the man which angered the religious leaders.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are Lord of the Sabbath. Help me not to be legalistic but to do good and save life every day, especially on the Sabbath.

One Word: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references