OCTOBER 16, 2017 Luke 6:1-11

LORD OF THE SABBATH

MEDITATION: Some of us struggle to see one hour on Sunday as anything special, let alone find ourselves giving God an entire day of the week. But for people who hold fast to the Law of Moses, the Sabbath is a sacred day. God designed Sabbath rules to remind people of their chosen-ness. A special bond is formed between God and the Sabbath-keeping people. So Jesus was well aware that it was a legitimate offense to break the Sabbath rules. There were, however, different views among the religiously-minded on what “work” was allowable. In Luke’s telling, Jesus and the disciples may or may not have violated the rules, depending on how their actions were interpreted. The greater offense is Jesus’ claim of authority to decide what constitutes right and wrong. In the first scenario Jesus sets himself as equal to King David. In the second scenario Jesus’ claims his healing actions bring honor to God. Those who took offense thought they were justified in their anger but in focusing on the one honorable thing they missed God’s bigger thing.

FOR DISCUSSION: What is the “something bigger” you could see if you let go of the ways Jesus’ disrupts your expectations?

LINKS/OTHER RESOURCES: Patheos.com is an interesting site. They see themselves as an “online destination to engage in the global dialogue about religion and spirituality, and to explore and experience the world’s beliefs.” Patheos.com also offers Bible study tools. Here’s a link to a Patheos meditation on Luke 6:1-11.