Just Do It!
Today’s Passages – John 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 61:1 – 3
Read the “1106 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” – (John 2:5)
Several years ago Nike developed an advertising campaign surrounding the phrase “Just Do It”. I don’t know if the phrase was original with them or not, but they made it very popular. The world is still filled with t-shirts and bumper stickers with the slogan on them.
As I was reading this morning’s passage and came to John 2:5, I thought about the phrase “Just Do It”. I got to thinking that this phrase kind of sums up the secret to the successful Christian life. We are to find out what God says and do it. Now before you fuss with me, I understand that salvation is a gift we receive, and not an action we do; but we do need to listen to what God says about salvation and then apply it personally to our lives. And then after we are saved, we are to find the will of God for our lives through the Word of God, and obey it. God says that if we “just do it” we will have success and fulfillment in the Christian life.
We are also to do the will of God heartily:
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Colossians 3:23)
There is way too much apathy among God’s people today. Where is the zeal for the Lord’s work that used to be so prevalent among believers?
We are also to do the will of God for our lives with joy:
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
We are also to do God’s will quickly, without procrastination.
“So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” (Luke 14:21)
Just Do It!
“And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” (Luke 8:21)
Posted in Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Heart Burn
Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 21 – 25; Proverbs 5)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6
Read the “1105 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)
Years ago I had a friend that loved to eat Chinese food. The problem was that it would destroy his stomach whenever he ate it. He would get the worst heartburn every time. But do you think that kept him from eating it? No! He would feast at the Chinese restaurant every chance he got. Our passage today contains an account about a different kind of heartburn. Two of the disciples of the Lord are walking from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus which was about 7.5 miles from Jerusalem. All of a sudden the Lord draws near and begins walking with them but they do not recognize Him after His resurrection. They begin to tell this “stranger” about all of the events surrounding the crucifixion that had taken place in Jerusalem just three days ago. They also recount the fact that the Lord’s body is now apparently no longer in the tomb and some of the women have claimed that He has risen from the dead. Jesus then begins reciting passage after passage from the Old Testament Scriptures that foretold that all of these events would happen, and He rebukes these disciples for not believing the Word of God.
I found it interesting that twice in chapter 24 the Lord takes the Old Testament Scriptures and uses them to teach the disciples regarding Himself. He did not perform any miracles here. He just opens up their understanding to the Word of God. I got excited about that because that is exactly what I do. I open up the Scriptures and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, I help people understand them. The disciples on the road to Emmaus stated that their hearts burned within them as he taught them the Scriptures. When was the last time your heart burned within you because of the Word of God? We almost act like God’s Word gives us the bad kind of heartburn, like my friend got when he ate Chinese food. We avoid reading and studying the Bible like it causes us pain. The Word of God is the most powerful tool that we have available to us today in the transformation of our own lives and in the fulfillment of the Great Commission, yet we seem to be using it less and less these days. Our sermons are getting shorter and shorter, and whole services and studies are being removed from the schedule. It just seems that in practice we do not recognize the power of God’s Word to transform lives. Jesus did. He quoted Scripture all the time: when tempted by Satan, and here He is quoting Scripture to help these disciples understand His death and resurrection. We need to place the same emphasis on the power of God’s Word in our lives. Let’s get back to reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible.
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
God Sees
Today’s Passages – Luke 21 – 22; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 16 – 20; Proverbs 4)
Read the “1104 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “This Is Just The Beginning”
“And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” (Luke 21:1-4)
The verses above reference one of the greatest truths of the Bible: God sees and will reward all we do for him, whether anybody else sees it or not. This widow gave “all the living she had”, and she was probably unnoticed by everyone present, save the Lord. Had one of the rich men given all his living, it would have, no doubt, attracted a lot of attention; but here only God sees what was done.
You and I may not have a lot to offer the Lord. We may be very limited in the amount of treasure we have, or the talents we possess, but we can be sure that if we use what we have for the glory of God, we will be rewarded. We may not be rewarded or recognized here on this earth, but be sure that all that we do for the Lord will be remembered in eternity, and isn’t that where it really matters. You will notice that the passage gives no indication that the Lord said anything to the woman there at the temple. She may have lived out the rest of her earthly existence not thinking that she did anything special, but when she got to Heaven she found out that her love gift for the Lord was deeply appreciated by Him.
Christian, don’t worry about any notoriety here on this earth. The Lord sees what you give, and the Lord knows what you do. You do not have to let others know what you do, the Lord knows, and He is all that really matters. You do not have to settle for some cheap reward of recognition here, an “attaboy from other men and women. Just know that God will never forget anything that’s done for Him.
God not only sees the good things that people do, but he also sees the things that people do that are not good. The context of this story in chapter twenty-one is connected with what was recorded in chapter twenty. Notice the connecting word, “and,” at the beginning of the chapter.
“45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” (Luke 20:45-47)
The real story here is not a principle on giving “all,” but rather that these religious leaders took advantage of this poor widow. Notice v. 47 – they “devour widow’s houses.” The religious leaders were all giving small portions of their income, but this widow was fleeced of everything that she owned.
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Stay Busy for the Lord
Today’s Passages – Luke 19 – 20 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 51
Read the “1103 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13)
The word “occupy” literally means to stay busy. In this parable the Lord gave each of his servants a unit of money called a pound and instructed them to occupy – to stay busy – to do something with the money that the He had given them so that when He returned He would receive a profit. Two of the servants had been diligent to invest the money wisely and when the Lord returned he received from both a substantial increase. However, one of the servants took the money and buried it, and gave it back to the Lord with no increase. The Lord rebuked him sharply and took the pound from him and gave it to the man who reaped the most profit.
The Lord has given each of us many things. He has given us talents and abilities; and He has also blessed us with material possession. We are to “occupy” with all of the gifts that the Lord has given us, meaning we are to stay busy, using them for His glory. We are not to waste the gifts he gives; we are not to keep them for ourselves; we are to bring them back to Him with an increase, a profit.
Christians today are very busy; they are “occupying”, but are they busy with the things that really matter? Soon the Lord is going to come back for His Bride, and the time for being busy here on the Earth will be over. I believe at that time we will regret what we were not busy doing with our gifts. Let’s get busy using the talents and tangibles that the Lord has given us. He’ll be back soon!
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Soul Winning
Today’s Passage – Luke 14 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:6
Read the “1101 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
In all three of these chapters in Luke 14, 15, and 16, there is a soul winning illustration. I understand that the proper interpretations of these passages does not primarily involve the church and winning people to Christ, but I think you will be able to see the practical application.
1 In chapter 14, I see the Compelling of the soul winner.
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)
I have noticed that we have gotten to the point in our soul winning presentations that we are almost apologizing for bothering people. If you got word that there was an explosive device about to detonate in your neighbors house, would you apologize for bothering them? No, you would compel them to leave the house immediately. We need to take our soul winning presentations up another notch. We need to go beyond mere bidding (inviting) and start compelling people to trust Christ. I think our problem is that we deep down inside really don’t believe it all, or we really don’t believe time is running out.
2 In Chapter 15, I see the Compassion of the soul winner.
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
The father had the right attitude. He was longing for the return of the son. He was ready to receive him whenever he “came to himself.” The older brother, on the other hand, had the wrong attitude. He was not too excited about the reconciling of the younger brother to the father. He was perfectly content keeping the situation as it was. After all, the younger brother didn’t deserve another chance. He made his bed, and now he should have to sleep in it. Is that your attitude toward the lost soul that desperately needs Christ, or the wandering saint that needs to come back? We need to have compassion on people. We need to love them as Jesus loves them.
3 In chapter 16, I see the Consequences of not soul winning.
“And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house–for I have five brothers–so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27 & 28)
Now I cannot to be sure that the rich man had no man in his lifetime that attempted to reach him, but let’s assume that he did not. What a shame that not only this man, but also his five brothers will spend eternity in Hell because of a lack of soul winning. Let me remind you, they are without excuse. God’s law was written in their hearts; they could see God in creation, and there were synagogues on every corner just as there are churches on every corner today. But how much better were his chances for salvation had somebody had compassion on him and attempted to compel him to be saved.
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 5 comments.
Put Away Your Ax
Today’s Passage – Luke 12 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 31)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 25
Read the “1031 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” – (Luke 13:6-9)
I must confess that I am often a little bewildered as I try to understand these passages of Scripture. There are often several different levels of interpretation for consideration. For instance, this story of the fig tree can be studied on both a practical and a symbolic level. Symbolically, the fig tree represents Israel. You will find that to be true in other passages such as in Matthew 21 where Jesus curses the fig tree, again because there was no fruit on it. Israel was expected to be fruitful. There was no reason for them not to be fruitful. They were given all that they needed, yet they chose to reject their Messiah. However, we know that someday Israel will “look on [him] whom they have pierced” (John 19:34), ”and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” – (Zechariah 12:10). God is very patient with Israel, and someday Israel will turn back to Him. Really if you think about it, the process of digging about it and dunging the fig tree could very well be the Tribulation Period where God will be bringing Israel back to Himself.
On a practical level, however, I believe that we can safely say that not all Christians will produce the fruit that we might expect them to right away. We must be careful to be patient with new believers. God may have to dig about them and dung them as well. Don’t be so quick to write off people. I thank the Lord that He is patient with me; and I also thank Him for putting me through the training and trials that have been needed in order for Him to produce the fruit that He desires through me. And He is not finished with me yet. I am a long way away from where I need to be. So, as we appreciate and expect the Lord to be patient with us, let us also be patient with others. Put away your ax. God may not be finished with the tree just yet.
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
We Need More Laborers
Today’s Passage – Luke 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 30)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 18:3 & 46
Read the “1030 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” (Luke 10:1 – 9)
Here in the first part of chapter ten, Jesus is sending out seventy of His disciples to represent him in the many towns and villages in Judaea, Galillee, and even outside the borders of Israel.
Note – Between Luke 9:62 and Luke 10:1, there are several events that take place that are not discussed by Luke. They are, however, given to us by John:
- Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:11 – 53)
- Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1 – 11)
- Light of the World Discourse Ending with a Debate with the Pharisees (John 8:12 – 59)
- Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1 – 41)
- Good Shepherd Discourse (John 10:1 – 21)
Though these are all very important events, to expedite our study in Luke, we will not discuss them now. In Luke’s account, we see:
The Commissioning of the Seventy (vs. 1 – 3)
- Jesus chooses seventy disciples (v. 1).
An important point to make here is that Jesus had more disciples than just the twelve apostles. He obviously had spent a great deal of time with these men and had trained them sufficiently enough to send them out.
- Jesus calls them to pray for labourers (v. 2; also Matthew 9:37 – 38)
Matthew records the same words used by Jesus in a slightly different context:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)
There are many people that need to be reached, but very few that are willing and able to reach them.
Regarding the Samaritan revival that took place after Jesus saved the Woman at the Well, John recorded:
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” (John 4:34-39)
We need to pray that the Lord will help us to be better labourers. We need to pray that God helps us to reach and train more laborers. The Lord seems to be telling us that the problem is not that people are not listening to His message of the gospel, it is that there are not enough laborers sharing that message. John’s Gospel tells us that the fields are already white and ready to be harvested. We need to be more faithful in sharing the message of Christ, and we need to do more in our churches to train, motivate, and provide opportunities for our members to do the same.
- Jesus Cautions Them (v. 3)
Though there will be many people who will rejoice and receive the message of the disciples, there will also be many that will reject the message and will rile up others to reject the messengers.
The Conditions for Submission in a City (vs. 4 – 9)
- The Care of Their Needs (vs. 4 – 8)
Here we see an urgency in the need for delivering the message. The disciples were not to worry about preparing for their journey. The underlying promise is that their needs will be met by the Lord through the people they minister to. They were not to get distracted by people along the way.
Practical Point – Oftentimes we get distracted from delivering the Lord’s message by well-meaning people along the way.
They were instructed to find someone within the city who would receive them, and remain there ministering to the city through the house that opened its doors to them.
- The Disciples Commitment to the Places That Receive Them (v. 9)
They were to heal the people physically, as well as help the people eternally through the message of the kingdom of God. While the Lord may not use His ambassadors in exactly the same way today, we can still be used of God to share the message of Christ with the people in our communities.
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Jairus’ Daughter
A Picture of Jesus’ Compassion for All People
Today’s Passage – Luke 8 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 29
Read the “1029 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “No Turning Back“
“40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.” (Luke 8:40-42)
In today’s passage, we read about a man who was a “ruler of the synagogue,” which means that he was a prominent member of the Jewish community, and likely was well respected by religious authorities of Judaism. These people were typically not fans of the Lord Jesus, though there were some who followed Jesus, somewhat secretly, such as Nicodemus (John 3). However, this man, Jairus, had a great need. His twelve-year-old daughter was very sick and close to dying. He had probably gone to the best physicians to get her help and had no doubt enlisted the prayers of his religious friends; all to no avail. He heard about a man named Jesus who claimed to be the Messiah; a man that he heard was a threat to Judaism from his superiors and peers within Judaism. Yet, this man Jesus was helping people, even healing people, and represented a hope for his daughter that no other source provided. He humbly came to Jesus, humbly, and begged for his help.
While Jesus was on the way to help Jairus’ daughter, another person who also needed Jesus’ help stopped him and prevented Him from getting to Jairus’ daughter before she died (vs. 43 – 48).
“43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8: 43 – 48)
During the delay, Jairus gets word that his daughter had died (v. 49).
49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. (Luke 8:49)
Imagine how he must have felt? I bet that he was very upset with the woman who caused the delay. After all, he had gotten to Jesus first. He probably was a little upset with Jesus for stopping to help this woman. Yet, Jesus assures him that everything would be OK, if he just had faith (v. 50).
50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. (Luke 8:50)
Jesus then goes to Jairus’ house and to the great relief and joy of her family, Jesus raises her from the dead (vs. 51 – 55)
51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.” (Luke 8:51-55)
This man, Jairus, who probably would have had nothing to do with Jesus, became a believer because he had a great need that only Jesus could meet. It is interesting that Jesus will draw people from all walks of life for many different reasons. Certainly, many of the people who became followers of Jesus, especially in those early years were followers of God through Judaism and were already believers in a coming Messiah, and when Jesus came on the scene, they recognized Him very quickly. However, there were others who were drawn to Jesus from surprising places. In today’s reading, we heard about Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), a woman who was devil-possessed; and Joanna, a woman whose husband worked for Herod Antipas, who was an enemy of the followers of Jesus (Luke 8:3). In yesterday’s reading, we learned about a Roman centurion who sent to Jesus to get help for his servant who was also ready to die (Luke 7:1 – 10). In Luke nineteen, we will learn about Zacchaeus, the chief of the publicans, who sought out Jesus and then Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house.
By the way, though many of these folks sought out Jesus, we know also that Jesus specifically went after some people, like the woman at the well from John 4. He stated that he “must needs go through Samaria.” He was a mission to meet up with a woman with a very sordid and sinful background to give the living water of salvation.
All kinds of people come to Jesus, and they all come for their own unique reasons; individual needs that only Jesus can meet. We should not be surprised when we see people coming into our churches who are not stereotypical churchgoers, and that is awesome. Let’s welcome the people who God is drawing to Jesus, and let us be ready to introduce them to the only One who can fix their problems and fill that empty place in their heart that only Jesus can fill. And let’s also be sure to take the Gospel of Christ to all people in every place. All the world (κόσμον from κόσμος – kosmos – governments and geography – Mark 16:15) and all nations (ἔθνη from ἔθνος – ethnos – ethnic groups – Matthew 28:19) need to hear the good news that Jesus Christ came to earth to die on the Cross for their sins.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
The Lord of the Sabbath
Today’s Passage – Luke 6 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 28)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – *Deuteronomy Thirty-Two – Verse Four*
Read the “1028 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “Cast Out First The Beam,” and “The Prison of Pleasing People”
“And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.” (Luke 6:1-11)
Jesus was often placed under the scrutiny of the Pharisees and other of the religious leadership, especially on the Sabbath days. They were always watching Him. They were always trying to catch him doing something that they perceived to be wrong. This is exactly what was happening in our text. Jesus wasn’t doing anything wrong, but the Pharisees had some misconceptions about what God said could or couldn’t be done on the Sabbath.
Verse 1 tells us that this was the second Sabbath after the first. The first Sabbath mentioned in Luke was back in Luke 4:16, when Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth. Another Sabbath is mentioned in Luke 4:31.
The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week. It began on Friday evening at sundown and ended on Saturday evening at sundown. It was the day of rest for the people of God. It was first alluded to way back in the Creation story:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Genesis 2:1-3)
God sanctified, or set apart, the seventh day, blessed the seventh day, and rested on the seventh day.
The next Old Testament reference to the Sabbath was regarding manna. God would give them manna every day, except on the seventh day. On the day before the Sabbath, the Israelites would collect twice as much as other days, so that they would have enough to last them on the Sabbath. (Exodus 16:22 – 30) The underlying principle behind this passage is that God can give you enough during the week so that you won’t have to gather or work on your sabbath of rest.
God also included the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:8 – 11; Exodus 31:12 – 17)
The principle of taking one day out of seven to rest and reflect is a great principle for us to observe today.
Jesus taught us that the Sabbath was made for man. (Mark 2:27) This means that it was made for man’s benefit.
- Helping a Worker’s Hunger (vs. 1 – 5)
First, we should point out that the disciples were taking grain from somebody’s field, which was permitted according to the Law. (Deuteronomy 23:24 – 25)
The story that Jesus was referring to here is from 1 Samuel 21:1 – 6. (See also Leviticus 24:5 – 9) The account of David taking the shewbread took place on the Sabbath day, and Jesus uses it to support the point that when people are hungry, it is OK to do what you must do to feed them. The spirit of the Law would certainly allow for feeding the disciples, but the Pharisees were more concerned about observing their letter of the Law. The prohibition against working on the Sabbath was to keep people from working toward a profit, like a farmer would be doing if he was planting or harvesting a crop. However, there was nothing wrong with gleaning some grain to satisfy hunger.
Jesus had already declared His deity by forgiving the sins of the man “sick of the palsy,” in Luke 5:23. Now, He was stating that He was the Lord of the Sabbath, meaning that He would determine what was or was not right on the Sabbath.
Keep in mind that Jesus was not actually violating any principle or Law given by God, but He was violating some of the man-made traditions set forth by the Pharisees.
Phillips states:
The rabbis had tinkered with the simple Sabbath requirement (Exod. 20:8–11) to the extent that Sabbath keeping had become, for many people, a burden. For instance, “a Sabbath day’s journey” was said to be about a thousand yards, but a man could circumvent this rabbinical rule. He could deposit at the thousand-yard boundary food for two meals before the Sabbath. He could then make this spot his dwelling, which would enable him to go another thousand yards.
And what constituted work? The rabbis defined a “burden” as “the weight of a dried fig.” To pick up anything heavier than that was work. If a person were in one place and his hand, filled with fruit, was stretched in another, he must drop the fruit if overtaken in that position by the Sabbath! The rabbis forbade a woman to look in a mirror on the Sabbath because she might notice a gray hair and pluck it out, and that would be work! And so on, page after page—endless, mindboggling pettiness, burden heaped upon burden.[1]
- Healing a Withered Hand (vs. 6 – 11)
The Pharisees claimed that healing was in violation of the Sabbath laws. However, Jesus stated that healing was doing good and saving life, rather than doing evil and destroying life (See also Matthew 12:11 – 12).
The second point from this passage is that Jesus did not actually work. He merely spoke, and the man’s hand was healed.
Notice the third point from this passage, in v. 7, that the Pharisees knew what Christ would do. They were watching the man with the withered hand, and they were using him to set up the Lord. The Lord would certainly heal him, because the Lord always healed everyone who needed help: (See v. 19)
“Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.” (Luke 4:40)
“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
Jesus was consistent. He always did right. The Pharisees knew that Jesus would do this. What does the enemy know that you are going to do?
The fourth thought from this passage is that Jesus was not afraid of the Pharisees, and He was not afraid to do right in front of everyone. He put this man in the middle of everyone, and then he healed him.
By healing this man, Jesus infuriated the Pharisees who were now publicly humiliated. They apparently were content to let the man suffer. The enemy hates it when the good guys do something good. The Pharisees begin conspiring as to how they will catch Jesus.
See Matthew 23 for information regarding the Pharisees.
Conclusion
- We are not under any law to keep a sabbath of rest.
- It is still good for man to take one day out of seven to rest, refresh, relax, and reflect on the Lord.
- Sunday is the day that Christians have chosen for worship. It’s the day that we celebrate the resurrection. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1 – 2)
- It is logical then for us to make Sunday our sabbath.
- We should strive to maintain Sunday as a day for rest and worship as much as we can.
- However, when that is impossible at times – see rule 1.
[1] Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary (Lk 5:27–6:5). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
For a Season
Today’s Passage – Luke 4 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 27)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Read the “1027 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “Let’s Go Fishing,“ and “A Hospital for Sinners.”
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” (Luke 4:1-13)
One of the things that I enjoy about living up here in the northeast is the changing of the seasons. Right now, we are enjoying the mild temperatures and beautiful colors of fall, but I know that soon those leaves will drop along with the temperatures and winter will be upon us. I must confess, that my least favorite season is winter, although I do enjoy the beauty of that first snowfall. Winter seems to be longer around here, but that is only because our springs tend to stay chilly in New Jersey almost up to the time of summer. None of these seasons last long, however. Things are always changing, and the change is what makes things interesting.
In our passage today from Luke 4, Jesus was driven into the wilderness (Mark 1:12) by the Spirit of God to be tempted of the Devil. By the way, it is good to allow the Spirit to be in the driver’s seat:) Anyway, there is a lot that we could talk about regarding these three attempts by Satan to get Jesus to sin. It was certainly not a pleasant experience for Him, but He came through it with flying colors, proving that He was Who He claimed to be – God incarnate.
My thought for this post, however, is the fact that the temptation only lasted for a season and then Satan departed, again for a season. He would be back again. You may be going through a difficult time in your life right now, but it is likely not going to last forever. There may be some exceptions to this principle, but for the most part, the difficult trials that we experience in life are typically only temporary. Jesus endured the fasting in the wilderness for forty days and then the temptation, but then Satan left Him alone for a while. Life includes extreme low points, or valleys, but it also is full of wonderful experiences and great days. The good times, however, are also only for a season. If you think about it, we can only fully enjoy the good days when they are given in contrast to the bad. If you went to Disneyland every day, it would soon lose its magic. The seasons that we experience is what makes life full. Jesus experienced it all (Hebrews 4:15), and so will we. Solomon expressed these mountaintops and valleys in life:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
If you are on top of the world right now, then praise the Lord. Enjoy it! But know, that it will not last forever. The Devil will be back. If you are going through a very difficult season at this moment, then learn what you can from it, maintain your testimony and your joy through it, knowing that God is in control, and He is going through this ordeal with you. He will never leave you or forsake you, and He will get you to the other side of it. Trust that all these seasons are working together for your good and His glory. It will not last forever, there will be a respite, an escape. Even if does continue through this life, you can be sure it will not follow you in Heaven. Of course, that only applies to those of us who are saved – those that “love God, and who are the called according to His purpose.”
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.