Knowing The Word in Luke 6:1-5

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

6:1 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.”

Comments

According to the Pharisees, Jesus’ disciples committed four Sabbath violations in eating this grain: they reaped, threshed, winnowed, and prepared food. In Deuteronomy 23:25, wayfarers were permitted to help themselves to satisfy their hunger. The Old Covenant and New Covenant scriptures are clear: human need must not be subject to heartless legalism. Jesus used King David as an example. Then he makes a staggering claim that he is “lord of the Sabbath.” The Sabbath was a divine institution. To be lord of it is to place Jesus in the highest of places. If David could override the law without blame, how much more could the much greater Son of David do so? Jesus’ opponents had missed the whole point of the day. Mercy is not merely permitted on the Sabbath; it is obligatory.

Application

Have you ever let rule-keeping become so heartless to the point that you showed no mercy? Rules are for protection of our relationship with God and one another. They are not meant to destroy relationship or keep other people at arms distance from you.

Prayer

Lord, I love your word. Help me to meditate on your scriptures such that I will love you with my whole heart, soul, and mind and my neighbor as myself. Teach me in the path I should go to become more like you, showing mercy and love all the days of my life until I dwell in your house for ever and ever.