Read Luke 6:1-5

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. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"

Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 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." Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Reflect

Jesus was never gentle with the legalistic Pharisees, and this passage is no different. By declaring himself Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus is claiming dominion over not only the third of the Ten Commandments, but over the whole of the law. Do you find yourself hanging onto pieces of the law so that you can feel better about yourself, or think less of someone else?

Respond

Remember that while the Old Testament law contains many good guidelines and commands for how we should live, Jesus says that it can all be summed up as, "Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself." Find one new way to follow Jesus' law of love, and put it into practice today.