Word@Work Luke78 - Luke 6:8-11
Published: Fri, 04/09/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LESSONS IN GRACE
Luke 6:8-11 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shrivelled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there. 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?" He looked round at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. (NIV)
Jesus knew that the religious leaders were hoping He would heal this man on the Sabbath day so that they could accuse Him of 'lawbreaking', and they were not disappointed. Of course, Jesus is never fooled by anybody; He knew what they were thinking, and it was not God honouring - they needed to know the truth. He also knew that His disciples needed training in how to deal with this sort of confrontation. So, He met the challenge head-on, in full view of a packed synagogue showing His authority over everything dysfunctional as the man's hand instantly gained strength and movement, resuming its full size as the wasted muscles were renewed.
As so often, He answered critical thoughts by a public question, "Is it right to do good on God's holy day?" The answer had to be "Yes". But if they said it, they would have admitted that Jesus was right and they were wrong. There is no record of any answer, except to collectively express their anger, presumably verbally with hostile body language. What a strange thing for clergy and theological administrators to do in 'church'! They had such little regard for that place of worship, or the Son of God who they should have worshipped: they simply proved that they worshipped themselves as they discussed how to dispose of Jesus!
Jesus is not a convenient "Yes-man". He knows that everybody is a sinner (including religious people) and that no one will know the truth unless God reveals it to them. So He taught the theory and practical lessons in one session. The right response would have been awe, and worship, repenting of wrong thoughts and proud hearts. But instead they hardened their hearts. On the other hand, the disciples learned from this lesson that they must not burden the Early Church with unnecessary rules (Acts 15: 28-29). So what about us? It is essential to take God's lessons seriously (that is how we learn), and ask Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24) so that we can root out anything which is offensive to Him. Then we will be able to teach others and be more effective for Christ in our church or workplace group.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for teaching every sinner who is willing to listen and learn. Please forgive me when I have been stubborn in resisting Your Word, or even wanting a totally different way from Yours. Help me to develop more of an appetite to learn from Your Word and to be softer hearted in my worship - appreciating all of Your grace to me. I want to be able to help others; please show me how I may best share the lessons You have already taught me. For Your glory's sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus knew that the religious leaders were hoping He would heal this man on the Sabbath day so that they could accuse Him of 'lawbreaking', and they were not disappointed. Of course, Jesus is never fooled by anybody; He knew what they were thinking, and it was not God honouring - they needed to know the truth. He also knew that His disciples needed training in how to deal with this sort of confrontation. So, He met the challenge head-on, in full view of a packed synagogue showing His authority over everything dysfunctional as the man's hand instantly gained strength and movement, resuming its full size as the wasted muscles were renewed.
As so often, He answered critical thoughts by a public question, "Is it right to do good on God's holy day?" The answer had to be "Yes". But if they said it, they would have admitted that Jesus was right and they were wrong. There is no record of any answer, except to collectively express their anger, presumably verbally with hostile body language. What a strange thing for clergy and theological administrators to do in 'church'! They had such little regard for that place of worship, or the Son of God who they should have worshipped: they simply proved that they worshipped themselves as they discussed how to dispose of Jesus!
Jesus is not a convenient "Yes-man". He knows that everybody is a sinner (including religious people) and that no one will know the truth unless God reveals it to them. So He taught the theory and practical lessons in one session. The right response would have been awe, and worship, repenting of wrong thoughts and proud hearts. But instead they hardened their hearts. On the other hand, the disciples learned from this lesson that they must not burden the Early Church with unnecessary rules (Acts 15: 28-29). So what about us? It is essential to take God's lessons seriously (that is how we learn), and ask Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24) so that we can root out anything which is offensive to Him. Then we will be able to teach others and be more effective for Christ in our church or workplace group.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for teaching every sinner who is willing to listen and learn. Please forgive me when I have been stubborn in resisting Your Word, or even wanting a totally different way from Yours. Help me to develop more of an appetite to learn from Your Word and to be softer hearted in my worship - appreciating all of Your grace to me. I want to be able to help others; please show me how I may best share the lessons You have already taught me. For Your glory's sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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