Sorting out the Sabbath
Luke 6v1-11
INTRODUCTION
Unlike in the past, today, sporting events take place on Sunday. Shops are open and many Christians can be found buying their Sunday Lunch. Some even go to the pub for Sunday Lunch! Is this right, or have we been led astray by the world? This leads to our theme today from Luke 6:1-11: Sorting out the Sabbath. To sort out the problems relating to the Sabbath, we need to look first at…
THE SOURCE OF THE SABBATH
More conflict for Jesus
The conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees was about to intensify. Luke 6:1-2 says, “One Sabbath, Jesus was going through the fields and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” The CEV says, “Why are you picking grain on the Sabbath? You’re not supposed to do that!”
Adding to the Sabbath
There was no problem taking wheat from the field. Deuteronomy 23:25 says, “If you enter your neighbour’s field, you may pick kernels with your hands, but you must not put a sickle to the grain.” The problem for the disciples is they were doing this on the Sabbath. In doing so, they broke at least four rules. They were reaping, they were threshing, they were winnowing, and they were preparing food. Four breaches of the Sabbath in one mouthful!
The Sabbath is an important day of rest for Jews, but the Pharisees added a list of do’s and don’ts that made it difficult. Over time, the life of the Sabbath and the love of the Sabbath became the law of the Sabbath. It then became a burden rather than a joy.
Enjoying the Sabbath
The word Sabbath comes from a verb meaning to stop and rest. We need to do this more than ever today. We need to stop and rest; we need to stop and reflect; we need to stop and refresh; we need to stop and renew; we need to stop and rejuvenate. Rest is a gift from God and should be seen as an end in itself and not just a means to an end. We should enjoy the day rather than endure it. This leads from the source of the Sabbath to…
THE SAVIOUR OF THE SABBATH
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
The conflict with the Pharisees intensifies in v5 when Jesus says, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus has the right to tell us how to use the day. In this context, it is important to notice that it was Jesus who responded to the Pharisees—even though it was his disciples who were eating the wheat.
Enjoying the Sabbath in Jesus
In using the title Son of Man, Jesus identifies with his people. Mark 2:27 enlarges on this when Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” To illustrate this point, Jesus said in Luke 6:3-4, “Have you never read what David did when he and his friends were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. He also gave some to the others.” At this point, David, a man after God’s own heart, broke the law! He broke the law because people are more important than things.
An opportunity to celebrate salvation
As we walk in the Spirit in a New Covenant relationship with Jesus, he shows us how to take our rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” As a good shepherd, Jesus makes us lie down in green pastures; he leads us beside quiet waters; he refreshes our soul. He guides us along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The ‘day’ here is the day of salvation, and we should rejoice in this rather than in the day itself. In other words, we do not worship the Sabbath; we use the Sabbath to worship the Lord of the Sabbath. This leads from the Source of the Sabbath and the Saviour of the Sabbath to…
THE SPIRIT OF THE SABBATH
Healing on the Sabbath
Having affirmed that he was Lord of the Sabbath and therefore had the right to change the Law of the Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue on another Sabbath and healed a man with a withered hand. Read Luke 6:6-10. This is the Spirit of the Sabbath. Now read v11. This is not the Spirit of the Sabbath
Life on the Sabbath
No matter how great a person’s need, the law came first for the Pharisees. For them, law was more important than life. In response to this Jesus said in Matthew 12:11-12, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not lift it out? How much more valuable are people than sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Here Jesus teaches that the law of love is greater than the love of law. We were not made for the Sabbath; the Sabbath was made for us.
Applying the Sabbath today
It is important to distinguish between the Jewish Sabbath and a Christian Sunday. The Jewish Sabbath was for Israel and could be practised with some consistency. When applying this in a wider world, however, it is difficult and at times impossible. The Jewish Law forbids lighting a fire on the Sabbath. In winter, this is bearable in Jerusalem, but not here in the UK!
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we should not be like the Pharisees who honoured the Law of the Sabbath more than they honoured the Lord of the Sabbath. The Lord of the Sabbath will lead us to new life in the Sabbath. He will lead us from the Source of the Sabbath and the Saviour of the Sabbath to the Spirit of the Sabbath. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it…
Bernard Cartledge