July 25, 2016
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Luke 6:1–11
Lauren Looney
Central Truth
As the Pharisees continue to look for ways to trap Him, Jesus shows them that love is greater than law. As Christians, we are commanded to show this love to those around us through our words, actions, and lives.
Key Verse | Luke 6:9
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?” (Luke 6:9)
Luke 6:1–11
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
1 On a Sabbath, 1 6:1 Some manuscripts On the second first Sabbath (that is, on the second Sabbath after the first) 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.”
A Man with a Withered Hand
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.
Footnotes
[1] 6:1 Some manuscripts On the second first Sabbath (that is, on the second Sabbath after the first)Dive Deeper | Luke 6:1–11
I am a rule follower. I always have been. I was the kid at school who ran errands for the teachers because they trusted me (I didn’t say I was cool!). Therefore, when I first read these verses, my heart stopped as I thought, “Would that have been me? Would I have been like the Pharisees seeing the law instead of the need?”
These verses revolve around the question, “What is more important, ceremonial law or human need?” When we look at the purpose behind the Sabbath, we see that God intended for us to use the time normally spent on work as sacred time to worship God, reflect spiritually, bless others, and allow God to restore our souls. He did not intend for it to simply be a list of restrictions for us to adhere to. However, the Pharisees had become so legalistic that they were grasping onto the written law without regarding its purpose.
God clearly answers the question of what is more important in Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV), "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." It’s simple: our God-given responsibility is to love God and love others. I know that, for me, there is a direct correlation between these commandments. When I am consistently and intentionally pursuing my relationship with God, my love for others overflows from a joyful heart. When I become distracted by worldly desires and never-ending to-do lists, my focus shifts from others to myself.
As believers, our love for others should be so evident that outsiders desire to know who we are, whose we are, and who we serve. How are you doing?
Discussion Questions
1. Leon Morris wrote this about Jesus’ response to the Pharisees: "The interesting thing about Jesus' approach is that He was not simply arguing that repressive regulations should be relaxed and a more liberal attitude adopted: He was saying that His opponents had missed the whole point of this holy day. Had they understood it, they would have seen that deeds of mercy such as His were not merely permitted—they were obligatory." Do you agree that deeds of mercy are obligatory for Christians? Why or why not?
2. How are you meeting the needs of those around you who know Christ? How are you meeting the needs of those who don’t?
3. Are you more concerned about what people shouldn’t be doing than you are with advancing God’s kingdom? Is it easier for you to obey laws or love people?
4. Are there any other laws in the Bible that you tend to look only at the words, rather than focusing on the purpose?