Luke 6:6-11 New Life Version (NLV)
In our passage today, the people who were to guide God’s spiritual family—to be leaders pointing others to the One True God—reveal they know very little about the salvation Yahweh promised to bring his people. They do not understand the eternal substance of the Sabbath or what a spiritual rest really means for the people. Biblical rest, as God designed it, involves dwelling in peace while walking in obedience to God; we step away from self-sufficiency. As God’s children take a posture of submissive rest, it is symbolic of how we are to live each day resting upon his strength and power to work salvation in our lives. The leaders in our lesson care more about their manmade laws defining work on the Sabbath and their power to control things than the misery and broken life of this man with the shriveled hand. Jesus demonstrates authentic Sabbath rest as he reveals God’s compassion and the power of grace to bring salvation and restoration to one of his children. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. True Sabbath rest; therefore, can only be found in Christ.
Luke 6:6-11 Jesus Heals on the Day of Rest
6 On another Day of Rest Jesus went into the Jewish place of worship and taught. A man with a dried-up hand was there. 7 The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers watched to see if He would heal on the Day of Rest. They wanted to have something to say against Him. 8 Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to the man with the dried-up hand, “Stand up and come here.” The man stood up and went to Jesus. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing. Does the Law say to do good on the Day of Rest or to do bad? To save life or to kill?” 10 Jesus looked around at them all and said to the man, “Put out your hand.” He put it out and his hand was healed. It was as good as his other hand. 11 The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers were filled with anger. They talked with each other about what they might do to Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me more about the rest I am to enter each day. Every day you call me to a posture of obedience as work is done in and through my life. I need to learn external and internal rest that is designed by you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.