September 5, 2016
HEALING ON THE SABBATH ROUND TWO -- WHAT WILL JESUS DO?
Luke 14:1–6
Rebecca Giles
Central Truth
Jesus broke bread with sinners, asked hard questions, and did the miraculous while here on earth. As those who know Christ, let us boldly follow His example. We can rejoice in our salvation and speak the truth of the gospel in love. Eternal salvation is a gift for all sinners.
Key Verse | Luke 14:3–4
And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. (Luke 14:3-4)
Luke 14:1–6
Healing of a Man on the Sabbath
1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son 1 14:5 Some manuscripts a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things.
Dive Deeper | Luke 14:1–6
I'm sure that you've had the opportunity to sit down for meals where the atmosphere is tense. Someone has quarreled, or there is a longstanding rift. Maybe it's among friends or family. The thought makes me sweat. At these meals, I nervously eat a lot and talk more than I should. I do not always lean into the hard conversations. Sometimes, I just plain avoid them. Yet, this isn't just an uncomfortable meal for Christ; it is a trap.
The Pharisees view Him as the enemy. They are plotting His death. This innocent breaking of bread is a setup. Before Him is a man with dropsy. Will He heal again on the Sabbath? Let's see. Does Christ ask for a sweet tea, compliment the decor, and ignore the elephant in the room? No way. The Son of Man pushes His hosts. Is it lawful to heal the man on the Sabbath? Jesus' question is met with crickets—no response. He heals the man, sends him on his way and digs in deeper. Would these lawyers and Pharisees not help their son or their ox on the Sabbath? Both of these were exceptions to the law. Jesus has taken Himself off the hot seat and placed His hosts there. Cue the awkward silence. Christ's mission is not hindered by the Pharisees' failure to recognize His authority.
When I imagine myself at this meal, I am a Pharisee. In my pride, I often have difficulty admitting when I'm wrong. It is so easy to point out other peoples' faults and ignore my own—hello, hypocrite! I love the Lord and speak highly of Him, especially with people who I know are Christians. I struggle to share my faith, although I know Christ has paved a way for my eternal salvation. Amazing! I'm a girl who loves Jesus and sins—imagine that. Our sins, the Pharisees', yours and mine, are the very reason that Christ bore the burden of the cross. He rose from the dead to live again so that we may all have the gift of eternal salvation. Praise the Lord and pass the Blue Bell.
Discussion Questions
1. Who do you say Jesus is? The Pharisees were not sure, but we can be. The answer is pivotal to our lives now and 10,000 years from now.
2. Do you identify with the heart of the Pharisees? If so, what steps do you need to take toward change?
3. Are you confident sharing the gospel with other people? What about your story of salvation? Talk through it with family and community, and then start sharing the good news!
4. Jesus used the meal with the Pharisees as a platform to further His kingdom. He was always on mission. How can you foster opportunities to further the kingdom with your family, friends, and neighbors?