Saturday, June 27
Read: Luke 6
Here we get two instances of Jesus during the Sabbath, and both times his intentions were questioned. The healing of the man’s right hand has striking intrigue (v. 6-11). The Pharisees were strict on the laws of the Sabbath; they frowned upon any work being done. Even Jesus healing the man’s hand (performing a miracle) would be considered work to them. Now the Pharisees were waiting for Jesus to take any action for them to have an excuse to accuse him. Yet Jesus knew the intentions of the Pharisees and went along with his actions anyways, knowing full well that they would later use his miracle against him.
What a revolutionary tactic used here by Jesus to show the Pharisees what is truly righteous! The Pharisees were the ones that upheld the law and Jesus broke their social normality of Sabbath behavior. Jesus and the Pharisees knew it was appropriate tradition to show deeds of mercy on the Sabbath and that the healing of the man with a shriveled hand (Jesus was showing mercy and compassion) was completely acceptable Sabbath behavior. Jesus cuts strait into the heart of the Pharisees saying, “which is more lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” (v.9). Jesus’ displays his authority over the laws of the Pharisees and over the laws of the Sabbath. Christ answers to the laws and commands of our father in heaven! Sometimes following the will of God calls for us to act out of worldly boundaries, the act beyond social normality. And by doing so, we may even be rebuked or criticized for it. Do not be discouraged! For our father in heaven recognizes when we truly fallow his will and righteous living.
Luke 6 also talks a lot about what is means to be a disciple of Christ. Before Jesus Chooses his twelve apostles, he spends a night alone praying. Just as Jesus prayed for his disciples, people have been praying for you guys long before you were selected to BOS. Each of you have been chosen by God’s will to be hear and learn what authentic discipleship for Christ. After the selection of the apostles, Jesus gives a sermon that is directed to his disciples. In contrast to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), these are not guideline of what one should do to enter the kingdom of heaven, but what is expected of one already in the kingdom of God. By allowing Christ to reign in your lives, you all have already entered in the kingdom of heaven. Take some time to look over this sermon of Christ and pray about these teachings of what is expected of being disciples of Christ, citizen in the kingdom of God.
Process:
-In versus 39-42, Jesus gives an interesting parable of sawdust and a plank. Here Jesus tells us of the importance proper preparation of being a leader. As disciples of Christ, you are called to be leaders in some way or another. In order to do so, we must make sure to remove the “plank from our eyes.” What are some things that may make up a plank in a Christian leader’s eye. Are there any aspects in your personal life that creates a plank in your eye?
-Why do you think Jesus ended his sermon for the disciples with the parable of the wise and foolish builders?