Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath

Luke 6:1–11 NASB95

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. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, 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?” And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 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. 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. 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?” After looking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

The True Heart of the Sabbath

Bible Passage: Luke 6:1–11

Summary: In this passage, Jesus challenges the rigid interpretations of the Sabbath law by highlighting its original purpose: to serve humanity rather than to bind it with burdensome rules. He demonstrates that acts of mercy and necessity are aligned with God's intention for the Sabbath.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to re-evaluate how they observe rest and worship in their lives. It can inspire them to prioritize compassion and life-giving activities over legalistic observance, reminding them that God's laws are meant to enhance their well-being rather than constrain it.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that the Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but a reflection of God's compassion and care for humanity. It urges believers to embody the spirit of the Sabbath by showing mercy and kindness, illustrating that true obedience to God's commandments lies in love and compassion.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the fulfillment of the Sabbath. Jesus, who is Lord even over the Sabbath, embodies the mercy and purpose for which the Sabbath was created. His actions demonstrate that He provides true rest and healing, reinforcing that He is central to our understanding of God's will for humanity.

Big Idea: The Sabbath reflects God's heart for humanity, inviting us to experience rest and compassion through Christ, who redefines its significance as a gift rather than a burden.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of the Sabbath laws in the Old Testament and how they evolved by the time of Jesus. Look into commentaries on Luke 6 in your Logos library, focusing on how different scholars interpret Jesus' actions and teachings related to the Sabbath. This may also lead you to examine any text-critical issues about the manuscripts, especially regarding phrasing and how it impacts understanding Jesus' authority over the Sabbath.

1. Pharisees' Presumptive Policing

Luke 6:1–2 NKJV

Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

In these verses, lets explore how the Pharisees' challenge reflects a misunderstanding of the Sabbath's purpose

Pharisees were angry as the Law of Moses stated

Exodus 20:10–11 NASB95

but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

look at Jesus’ defence of his disciples, how the Sabbath was designed to uplift rather than restrict. We must remember how adherence to God’s laws should foster compassion, aligning with Jesus' teaching of mercy over rigid rule-following.

The sabbath is needed we need to rest we need to take time to meditate on God and his goodness we need to let our bodies rest after a long week of work

We need to even let our land rest

Regenerative pasture rotation

In our new covenant there is a scripture that we may uses out of the book of Hebrews

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

This is not ment to be uses by modern Pharisees either

No its in your best interest to gather and not forsake the assembling as some have gotten onto the habit of doing but to do so is not a law broken worthy of damnation of blasphemy as the pharisees taught on the laws of the sabbath

One thing I want you to remember today the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath and the Lord is the Lord of the Sabbath who we will one day find our everlasting rest as He makes us lay down in green pastures

2. Priority of Human Need

Luke 6:3-5

Maybe you can underscore the connection Jesus makes by referencing David’s actions. The implication here is that human need transcends ritual restrictions. Stress the authority of Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, to redefine its boundaries. This redefinition places human necessity and divine compassion over legal adherence, reiterating Christ’s ultimate fulfillment of the law.

3. Purposeful Sabbath Healing

Luke 6:6–9 NKJV

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”

In this passage, lets focus on the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees in the synagogue.

Jesus Here demonstrates that Kindness and mercy are a central part of Gods commands and Loving others as yourself sometimes means you got to get up on you day of rest and help a brother out. Not begrudgingly but willingly out of love and compassion.

Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man was beaten and left for dead, and those who passed by were more concerned about their own ‘day of rest’ than about helping someone in need. However, the Samaritan, moved by compassion, chose to help him. This story illustrates that kindness and mercy are not mere suggestions but essential commands of God. When our schedules are interrupted by the needs of others, true love compels us to act, reminding us of our Savior’s heart.

Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath to display that caring for others highlights the true spirit of the Sabbath.

4. Pharisees’ Persistent Hardness

Luke 6:10–11 NASB95

After looking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Look here at the reaction after the man's healing,

There should have been praising in the House of God instead there was anger

resentment maybe jealousy all kinds of Harding of the heart happinging instead of becoming one they became divided

Let me tell you a secret maybe you know maybe you dont maybe you need a reminder maybe you dont

You see when we walk into the house of God you better believe there is spiritual warfare taking place matter of fact it probably started Friday or Saturday afternoon. The devil begins to stir your emotions stir your heart he is tryting to make waves of cauos in your life so that when you do show up on SAt you will be like theses pharisees with a heart too hard with Solid to bad for the good seed of Christ to penetrate that hardened heart and let you really praise God.

You got to know so you can prepare take these thoughts captive bring them into obedience to Christ Fight through it Paul says fight the good fight run with endurance you got to know the devil is coming you better prepare becasue if you dont and your caught off gaurd he will win every time

God's commandments aim to manifest love and life, demonstrated by Jesus’ actions.

following Christ means embracing the Sabbath as a source of blessing and compassion, inviting believers to grace-centered rest.

Let us praise God this very morning