All About Motive

Monday, January 30, 2012
Pray: 
Lord, please help me to remember that today and every new day is a precious and loving gift from You.
Read: 
LUKE 6:1-11

[1] One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. [2] Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" [3] Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? [4] He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." [5] Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." [6] On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. [7] The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. [8] But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there. [9] 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?" [10] He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. [11] But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect: 
What do you learn about the Sabbath here?

Many years ago I spent a Sunday with a family on a Scottish island. The day was devoted to going to church and reading the Bible. The food we ate had all been prepared the night before. That scenario was probably quite familiar to Jesus because, in his day, there were also very strict rules about what you could or could not do on the Sabbath. It was a holy day that was to be completely given over to God.

In our reading today Jesus is well aware that the Pharisees, often very legalistic people, are watching him carefully for any little slip he might make (7). Twice he does things which drive them wild. Actually, both are very positive actions. In the first he meets a need for food (1), and in the second he performs a miracle of healing (10).

Do you ever feel guilty if you "break the Sabbath" by doing things not specifically concerned with God? There is no need to. Just look at Jesus in this passage. It is the way we live and relate to others that matters most to God, not just following a set of rules.

Apply: 
Is there anything you do on Sundays that could be moved to another day to free up more special time for God?
Pray: 
Lord, I know You deserve the best of my time and attention. Show me how I can better set aside special time with You.
Through the Bible In One Year: 
Exodus 11,12 / Matthew 21

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