Jesus Works on the Sabbath

Bible Study Lesson from Luke 6:1-11

Those Pharisees! In yet another attempt to entrap Jesus and his disciples they continue the drama by bringing out a small amendment to the commandment; "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (KJB). Do you know which section of the law they broke? I had to look it up too so read on ...

6:1 Now it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain.

2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

3 And Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even 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 consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

5 And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Healing on the Sabbath

6 On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.

7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him.

8 But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward.

9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”

10 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 themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus, The Pharisees, And Work on the Sabbath

The Law of the Sabbath

First of all, the Pharisees and Scribes were very well-versed when it came to the laws, they were really good at pointing them out, enforcing them - and they were at the same time savvy at getting around them.

How Many Laws about the Sabbath?

According to scholars, there was a total of 39 sections showing the types of activities forbidden on the Sabbath. And remember, this is just one of the Ten Commandments so plenty of "amendments" to apply to the other nine too!

What Law Did the Disciples Break By Eating Wheat?

Was it theft? No - Jewish custom was to leave small parts of a field un-harvested to feed the poor or strangers passing through so this was not considered thievery. According to the Pharisees, the law broken had to do with "harvesting" on the Sabbath even though the disciples were only picking up enough to eat.

This motion fell under the definition of harvesting which was described as rubbing heads of grain between the hands. So, in this sense - yes, they broke the law. I believe it was Socrates who stated; "When laws are unjust, the just will be in prison." ... or something to that effect.

Why Pick on Jesus?

Would the Pharisees have been so quick to judge if it had been someone other than Jesus' disciples who were eating the wheat? Most likely not. This was not only about whether or not the law was broken - it was more about someone upsetting what they had put into place and Jesus did not conform to their way of thinking. In other words, he was a radical in their minds.

Do We Have All the Answers?

Just as the religious leaders thought they had all the answers, we can fall into that trap personally or through church "rules". Be careful not to jump to the conclusion that our way is the only way of worship; of sharing Christ; or even the type music we play.

Christ is too big to be controlled by one church or group of people. Let's remember this the next time we see young people expressing their love for the Lord through a different type of worship or music.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Jesus Heals Man with Leprosy - Luke 5:12-16