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.
Luke 6:6-8
Challenging…
3. Compassion.
We see Jesus do something important by healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, (a day meant for rest and worship). This act challenges the strict rules upheld by the Pharisees. The man represents those who are often overlooked or judged by rigid standards. Jesus asks a crucial question, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?” This question shifts our focus from simply following the rules to understanding that God wants us to show love and kindness. The deeper message is that God’s Laws are about compassion and helping others, not just about obeying rules. Jesus shows us that God’s grace is about healing and change, especially for those who are hurting.
On a practical level, this passage encourages us to think about how we can show compassion in our daily lives. Often, like the Pharisees, we may set up rules that get in the way of caring for others. To move away from this legalistic mindset, we should work on being more empathetic and ready to help those in need. This could mean reaching out to someone who feels left out, standing up for fair treatment, or simply being there to listen to someone who is having a tough time. By practicing compassion in our lives, we not only follow Jesus’ command to love others but also share His grace with those around us. Ultimately, true faith is not just about rules; it's about sharing love and kindness with everyone.
Luke 6:9-10
Challenging…
4. Judgment.
Jesus challenged legalism by reminding us what true judgment looks like and what is most important in the Law. He asks if it is right to do good or harm on the Sabbath, highlighting that the purpose of the Law is about love and kindness, not just following rules blindly. This challenges us to think about God's priorities- Showing mercy and compassion for others is far more important than just checking off a list of do's and don'ts. It encourages us to see God's judgment as one that heals rather than punishes, promoting a community of love and grace.
In our everyday lives, this teaching encourages us to examine how we make choices. When we find ourselves focusing too much on rules instead of recognizing people’s needs, we should ask ourselves why. Are we following policies just to stick to the rules, or are we trying to support and uplift those around us? To challenge legalism means creating a space where kindness thrives, allowing us to act compassionately, even if it means breaking conventional rules. As we interact with others, let’s aim to be instruments of mercy, looking at situations through the lens of the love that Jesus showed, (a love that motivates us to do good, even when society expects us to stick strictly to the rules).
Luke 6:11
Challenging…
5. Our understanding of God’s work.
We see a powerful moment when the religious leaders' strict views on the Law clash with Jesus' deeper understanding of God's purpose. This moment shows us that sometimes our view of God's work can get mixed up with legalism, making us put rules ahead of relationships and rituals ahead of kindness. Jesus challenges us to rethink how we understand God's intentions in our lives. Instead of strictly following laws that can stifle our compassion, we are encouraged to embrace a wider view of God's work- One that emphasizes love, mercy, and respect for others. This shift compels us to look for God's heart in the Bible and to learn how He wants us to treat each other with grace and understanding, rather than judgment.
To apply this understanding in our lives, we need to examine our own attitudes about faith. Are we, like the Pharisees, so focused on rules that we forget to show God's grace? Recognizing this can take humility and courage. We should look for ways to show God's love by helping those in need, being kind, and offering grace to others, (even when it challenges our usual way of thinking). As we practice this, we not only receive God's transformative love but also become channels through which His work can flow. This can change our communities and help break down the barriers of legalism that keep people from experiencing the fullness of God's love.
Conclusion:
We see that Jesus encourages us to go beyond just following rules. He invites us into a closer relationship with God that values love, mercy, and kindness. The Pharisees focused too much on their traditions and missed the true purpose of the Law. Jesus reminds us that helping others and showing compassion is what really matters, highlighting that the Sabbath is meant to serve people, not the other way around. He calls us to put love before rules and to have a faith that is alive and responsive to the needs of those around us.
As we wrap up today, I encourage you to think about your own life. Are there times when you've focused too much on rules and forgotten about grace and love? Like the Pharisees, have we let rituals get in the way of the relationships that God wants us to have? I invite anyone who feels it is time to let go of strict legalism and embrace a faith filled with kindness and grace to come forward. Let’s pray together, asking God to lift those burdens and fill our hearts with His love so we can share it with others. God is here, waiting for you. Will you accept His invitation?
