Luke 6:1-11
Luke 6:1-11
The Pharisees made their religious rules more important than Jesus.
During this time in Israel, if someone broke the Sabbath by working, it required the death penalty. The Pharisees and people of Israel set up parameters for what it meant to “work on the Sabbath”. If you walked a certain distance, it became work. Cooking on the Sabbath was seen as work. There were so many rules that it became almost impossible to keep them all. This is why the disciples plucking grain and Jesus healing a man caused the Pharisees to go into a frenzy.
The Pharisees cared more about people keeping the Sabbath regulations than the people themselves. Thabiti Anyabwile said, “Because they elevate law over people, they become hard toward people and indifferent towards needs.” The Pharisees wanted actions to be the way God was honored, but really, God cares more about the heart.
Nick said this the other day, “Spiritual activity does not equal spiritual maturity.” The Pharisees, who were the “spiritual leaders”, had missed the point of keeping the Sabbath, so much so, they stopped caring for those in need on Sabbath days.
We need to take time to examine our hearts. Are we doing things to try and earn God’s love? Or are we doing things because of God’s love?
God’s love should compel us to serve others, give freely, and draw closer to Him. We should never desire to be like the Pharisees in these two circumstances, and if we catch ourselves acting like them, we need to repent and turn to God.
Spiritual activity does not lead to spiritual maturity. Luke 6:1-11 shows us that clearly.
By: Brice Stockton
The Pharisees made their religious rules more important than Jesus.
During this time in Israel, if someone broke the Sabbath by working, it required the death penalty. The Pharisees and people of Israel set up parameters for what it meant to “work on the Sabbath”. If you walked a certain distance, it became work. Cooking on the Sabbath was seen as work. There were so many rules that it became almost impossible to keep them all. This is why the disciples plucking grain and Jesus healing a man caused the Pharisees to go into a frenzy.
The Pharisees cared more about people keeping the Sabbath regulations than the people themselves. Thabiti Anyabwile said, “Because they elevate law over people, they become hard toward people and indifferent towards needs.” The Pharisees wanted actions to be the way God was honored, but really, God cares more about the heart.
Nick said this the other day, “Spiritual activity does not equal spiritual maturity.” The Pharisees, who were the “spiritual leaders”, had missed the point of keeping the Sabbath, so much so, they stopped caring for those in need on Sabbath days.
We need to take time to examine our hearts. Are we doing things to try and earn God’s love? Or are we doing things because of God’s love?
God’s love should compel us to serve others, give freely, and draw closer to Him. We should never desire to be like the Pharisees in these two circumstances, and if we catch ourselves acting like them, we need to repent and turn to God.
Spiritual activity does not lead to spiritual maturity. Luke 6:1-11 shows us that clearly.
By: Brice Stockton
No Comments