Day 10: Luke 6:1-19

Listen to God’s word…

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Notice the frustration of the Pharisees. Do you feel it? Two separate times they watched Jesus and His followers break their understanding of the Sabbath law. Jesus calls Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath,” yet He is not behaving in a way the religious leaders expect. They were so furious with Jesus that verse 11 says they began discussing “what they might do to Jesus.”

It can be easy on this side of the resurrection to judge the Pharisees. But perhaps there are times where you can relate to their experience?

Have there been times in your life where Jesus didn’t act the way you expected of Him? Or have there been times where Jesus invited you to expand your understanding of truth and faithfulness? Spend some time with Christ’s Spirit remembering those moments.

What emotions did those times bring up in you? Talk with Jesus about that now. 

The Scripture continues…

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

The second half of this scripture passage recounts some major ministry plot points in Jesus’ life. He hand-picked the 12 disciples who would intimately journey with Him, including the one who would ultimately betray Him. He preaches on God’s Kingdom, heals the sick, and casts out demons. His ministry was so powerful Luke describes literal power coming from Him to heal all who touched Him.

But before all of this verse 12 states simply that Jesus went on a mountain alone and prayed the entire night.

In this moment now, join Jesus in this action. Ask that God’s spirit would fill you for the sake of others. Spend time with God in prayer, asking for what you need for the tasks ahead of you.