It’s always dangerous to believe we somehow know more than God
By Dean Collins
It appears that Jesus was always stirring up the “church crowd.” The synagogue was the weekly gathering place for the Jewish community. On the Sabbath and at other times, the people would gather to read the Torah, pray, and discuss matters that were important to Jewish faith and practice. Rabbis would teach or answer questions regarding the Law.
The Pharisees were very familiar with the details of the Torah. They also believed the Law included “oral traditions” passed down from Moses, and they gave equal weight to these traditions.
Many of the disputes the Pharisees had with Jesus had to do with the oral traditions for which they saw themselves as the final authority. Jesus, of course, saw only God as final authority. Jesus and his Father were on the same page with such things, indeed, with all things.
I don’t know if the Pharisees kept records of attendance at Saturday synagogue meetings, but if they did they were probably also frustrated that the turnout at synagogue was always bigger when Jesus walked in and sat down.
Two questions, similar reactions
In the first 11 verses of Luke 6, we learn about two more incidents at these Saturday gatherings. In the first section, we see the Pharisees starting it with a question to Jesus about what they saw as inappropriate grain picking on the Sabbath. Jesus settled that dispute by quoting some Scripture they had confidently forgotten. Since they thought they knew more than God, they hardly thought the question was settled, but they didn’t have a good answer so they just stewed on it awhile.
In the second instance, Jesus got things started. He saw a man whose right hand was withered. Jesus, being full of compassion, decided to heal the man’s hand. But before Jesus performed his miracle he decided to take the lead in asking the questions on this occasion.
Jesus called the man to the front of the room so everyone could see. And then he asked the Pharisees what might have sounded like an unrelated question:: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” The Pharisees knew they were in trouble no matter what they said. It turns out they actually were not smarter than God. They looked at each other, but no one said a word. Jesus told the man with the withered hand to hold it out in front of him and as he did Jesus fully restored his hand.
We can be sure the man was happy. The congregation was amazed at the kindness and power of Jesus, but the Pharisees who were supposed to be the experts and in charge, were filled with fury and began to discuss what they might do to Jesus. These guys were not very joyful. Jesus had once again shined light in the darkness, and they chose simply to move to the shadows to discuss next steps.
Two incidents, one warning
There might be a warning for those of us who love to study and learn Scripture, which of course is a very good thing to do. What’s not so good is thinking that because you read and study Scripture you are somehow the authority on God and his Word. The Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth, but he will never turn us into smug or self-righteous experts. That’s the work of the flesh and not the work of the Spirit.
Lord, forgive us when we get prideful because we have learned something new from you and your Word. Please continue your transformational work in our hearts and minds so that we would know you more deeply and practice our faith more lovingly. Help us see that our goal is not somehow to try and be as smart as you but rather to live in ways that reflect your character. Renew our minds and hearts so that our behavior might reveal the kindness and love of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 6:1-11 ESV
Photo by MART PRODUCTION at pexels.com
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