Luke 6:6-11
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Luke 6:6-11 taking note of anything that stands out as you read.
For the Lord of the Sabbath love is the highest law, and mercy always wins out over rules and rituals. It’s possible that the religious leaders, having heard Jesus’ claim to Lordship, have set up this entire scenario for the sole purpose of trapping him. They believe he can heal, and they are certain that he will heal on the Sabbath if the situation presents itself, but their belief is not rooted in faith. For these religious authorities, control and consistency is the highest law.
Jesus goes straight to the heart of God’s intention for Sabbath rest, and by his questions he proclaims Sabbath as a day of rejuvenation – not purposeless restriction.
Take some time to contemplate these words from the prophet Micah and then share your thoughts about this with Jesus.
“What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:6-8
Read Luke 6:6-11 again noting anything new that stands out to you.
It’s doubtful that the religious leaders are enraged solely because Jesus isn’t following the rules. It’s much more likely that Jesus strikes a nerve by undermining their power and authority as the rule enforcers of Israel. His questions expose how far these leaders are from the heart of God and how deeply they have misunderstood their role as the under-shepherds of God’s people.
Spend the last minutes of this time of reflection thinking about the people God has placed within your circle of influence. How are you leading or influencing with mercy and compassion as you walk humbly with God? Talk this over with Jesus and be sure to listen to him.
What might Jesus be saying to you today?
What will you do in response?
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