Challenging Legalism Series

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#17]

CHALLENGING LEGALISM

Luke 6:1-11

Introduction:

The Pharisees were an important religious group in ancient Judaism who followed many laws and rules. The Torah, which is the 1st 5 Books of the Bible, has 613 commandments. The Pharisees added even more rules and interpretations to this, creating what is known as the Oral Law. They believed this helped people understand how to live according to the written commandments in the Torah. Experts say that when you count both the written commandments and the Pharisees' traditions, there are 1000’s of laws. The exact number can change based on different interpretations and practices among Pharisees. Overall, it's clear that their system of laws was complex and aimed to help people apply these rules to everyday life.

Before we become too judgmental, I want to share some unusual or seemingly ridiculous laws still on the books in Hobbs, NM and other places in the US.

* In Hobbs, it is illegal to live in a Birdhouse.

* In Los Angeles, it is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2”.

* In Hobbs, it is illegal to sneeze in Public.

* In Dublin, GA it is illegal to drive a car while blindfolded.

* In North Carolina, it is illegal to plow a cotton field with an elephant.

In today’s text, we see an important moment in Jesus’ life where He challenged the strict rules that the religious leaders had created. As He and His Disciples walked through the grain fields, they picked and ate some grain on the Sabbath, which angered the Pharisees. This moment helps us understand what God really wants from us: to show love and mercy rather than just following rules without thinking about their meaning.

Today, we will discover how Jesus calls us to put love and kindness above strict rule-following. Legalism can make us forget what truly matters- Being just and loving toward others. Jesus shows us that having a relationship with God is not about being scared to break the rules; it’s about loving our neighbors and God deeply. Let’s open our hearts to the important lessons in these verses, realizing that being a true follower of Christ means living out His love and grace every day.

Luke 6:1-2

Challenging…

1. Tradition.

We see a key moment where Jesus challenged strict rules about the Sabbath that the Pharisees enforced. The Disciples were picking grain on the Sabbath, which the religious leaders considered against the Law. This story highlights the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders and reminds us that sometimes human traditions can overshadow the important values of kindness and compassion that God wants us to follow. Jesus shows us that while traditions can be meaningful, they should never be more important than love, mercy, and taking care of one another. This passage encourages believers to think about their own traditions and practices to ensure they don't become obstacles in having a real relationship with God and loving our neighbors.

On a practical level, this teaches followers of Christ to recognize how legalism can sneak into their lives and communities. It challenges us to reflect on how often we let rules come before relationships or traditions overshadow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Looking at how Jesus acted, we are invited to adopt a spirit of grace, showing understanding and compassion to ourselves and others, especially when it comes to our sacred practices. Our Church gatherings and rituals should be filled with life and should bring us together in love, rather than create divisions. By questioning legalism, we remember that our most important commands are to love God and love each other, calling us to be examples of grace who share the freedom and joy that come from Christ.

Luke 6:3-5

Challenging…

2. Authority.

Jesus confronted the strict rules about the Sabbath by mentioning how David ate the holy bread when he was in need. This challenges the authority of the religious leaders of His time and teaches an important lesson: love and compassion for people are more important than just following rules. Jesus reminds us that He is in charge of the Sabbath, showing that God's Laws are meant to serve humanity, not to bind us in rigid expectations. This raises an important question about who gets to decide how we interpret God’s Word- Us or God? While the Law has its role, we must always keep in mind that God cares deeply for our well-being.

On a practical level, this teaching invites us to think about how we approach our own religious rules and traditions. In a time when strict legalism can still find its way into the Church, we need to focus on grace and relationships instead of just following rules. We should ask ourselves if our practices help foster love, community, and a connection with God, or if they create barriers that keep us away from His heart and from each other. As Christians, we are called to reflect the spirit of the law, demonstrating compassion like Christ did. By doing this, we can create welcoming and understanding environments in our Churches, allowing us to share God’s love in practical ways while prioritizing the needs of others over rigid traditions.