Luke 6:1-11
Q.1. Why did Jesus object to the way the Pharisees interpreted the Sabbath laws? Would the Pharisees have accepted David’s use of the consecrated bread? – Lk.6:1-5)
God had commanded Israel to keep the Sabbath distinct from all other days when people were working for a living (c.f. Exo.20:8-11; Deut.5:12-15). However, the Scribes and Pharisees had applied this to almost any consumption of energy, so had removed the joy of the Sabbath. The disciples were innocently eating some heads of grain. The Pharisees saw this as a breach of their Sabbath day rules (Lk.6:1-2). Jesus drew their attention to David’s ‘unlawful’ actions, when he and his men ate – the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone (Lk.6:4 c.f. Lev.24:9; 1 Sam.21:6). Jesus pointed to the fact that – The Sabbath was made for (the benefit of) man, and not man for the Sabbath (c.f. Mk.2:27). Beyond that, Jesus declared that He – the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Lk.6:5). Jesus had previously accused the Pharisees of undermining the Word of God with their traditions (c.f. Mk.7:8 & 13). Not surprisingly, they were outraged that Jesus claimed to be the Lord of the Sabbath, and that He had healed on the Sabbath (Lk.6:5 & 11).
Q.2. Why did Jesus purposely challenge the Scribes and Pharisees by healing the crippled man on the Sabbath? – (Lk.6:6-11)
Jesus was caught between compassion for a deformed man, and the critical gaze of the Scribes and Pharisees (Lk.6:6-7). They were more concerned about gaining the approval of people, and enforcing their own rules, than they were about helping people in need. Jesus challenged such interpretation of His laws with this question – “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?” – (Lk.6:9). In this, Jesus reinforced the value of doing good, and of bringing the message of salvation on God’s special Day. Though every day belongs to the Lord, the Lord’s Day should be distinguished from all others. We do this by maximizing worship, fellowship, prayer, and Gospel preaching each Lord’s Day (c.f. Rom.14:5; Col.2:16-17).