Intro: Conflicts are not uncommon these days. In fact, issues pop-up all the time because people unremittingly demand their own way. Conflicts and destruction [pestilence] are travel companions. When we are facing conflicts that seek to destroy, it is because an evil spirit of control is navigating things at the helm of human thought. When human beings are driven to emotionally over-power, manipulate, and demean others in order to gain the upper hand, sin is in control. That behavior is far removed from anything Jesus modeled for us as his disciples.
For Christians, we know love is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude, and it never demands its own way (1 Cor 13:4-5). So, when we are around people who are vehemently demanding we see things from their perspective, we may conclude that love is not motivating it. You don’t have to like or agree with what is going on or being said, but kindly disagree and move on. Never forget, Scripture teaches that sin causes mind damage; we need the Spirit to bring righteous thinking. “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
In our passage today, kindly disagreeing and moving on is exactly what Jesus decides to do because he is accused of breaking the Sabbath. (You should really laugh here, because Jesus is our Sabbath rest and the Promise for us living in the seventh day [think Creation] as he makes us whole). The Pharisees [religious leaders] come to Jesus with a list of 39 activities [based on their oral law] that are not allowed on the Sabbath—one of which is harvesting. Jesus’ disciples are simply trying to eat grain to nourish their bodies on the Sabbath. God’s law provided for the poor; farmers would leave grain on the edge of their fields for the hungry. Therefore, the disciples are not stealing grain or breaking any law of the Sabbath by working to harvest the field of grain. The Pharisees are just angry because Jesus and his disciples will not allow themselves to be controlled by the Pharisee’s sinful flesh. Pay attention, because this is our lesson for today. Resist being controlled by the attempts of evil. Speak the truth in love and move on to enjoy Jesus! Have a wonderful weekend!
Luke 6:1-5 NLT A Discussion about the Sabbath
1 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”
3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”
Prayer: Lord, I ask for you to keep my heart pure and my words kind; help me guard my mind against fear. I do not want to give any power to the spirit of control as I face various conflicts. Instead, please help me to speak the truth in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.