When were the Sabbath laws okay to break? I mean, was there a time when they were fully righteous? Was God’s inspiration in their formation? Were they too restrictive from the start? Or did they become too restrictive at some point past their usefulness? Were those who compiled them in the first place off the mark? Were they perhaps even vindictive? Were they trying to be unjust?
I doubt they were. I imagine that the very specific details of the sabbath laws were written in an effort to be faithful to God. Can you imagine that, too? After all, God established the sabbath.
But in today’s passage, also time and time again, Jesus demonstrates that there are times and places in which they fall short of God’s design and plan (if people are hungry…it’s not sinful to eat, if someone’s hand is in need of healing, it should be healed).
So did God change? Did the need for such laws change? Just how much does situation and context matter?
God did not change. God’s character is actually exactly the same. The sabbath was established in favor of humanity’s need. And so also did Jesus make way for people who are hungry to eat…in favor of humanity’s need. What “changed” was not God’s character but the human situation.
This passage invites us to consider how God’s commands address real human contexts. God’s commands are not arbitrary hoops to jump through, but gifts to foster life, justice, and wholeness (in the case of the sabbath, rest). When a command’s application begins to harm instead of bless, Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, restores its true aim.
It’s a call to pay attention to human need, to listen for what truly serves people as God created them to flourish.
Luke 6:1-11
One Sabbath, as Jesus was going through the wheat fields, his disciples were picking the heads of wheat, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the Sabbath law?”
Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read what David and his companions did when they were hungry? He broke the Law by going into God’s house and eating the bread of the presence, which only the priests can eat. He also gave some of the bread to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Human One is Lord of the Sabbath.”
On another Sabbath, Jesus entered a synagogue to teach. A man was there whose right hand was withered. The legal experts and the Pharisees were watching him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. They were looking for a reason to bring charges against him. Jesus knew their thoughts, so he said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” He got up and stood there. Jesus said to the legal experts and Pharisees, “Here’s a question for you: Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did and his hand was made healthy. They were furious and began talking with each other about what to do to Jesus.
Psalm 92:1-5
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, Most High; to proclaim your loyal love in the morning, your faithfulness at nighttime with the ten-stringed harp, with the melody of the lyre because you’ve made me happy, Lord, by your acts. I sing with joy because of your handiwork. How awesome are your works, Lord! Your thoughts are so deep!
Prayer
God,
Make me open to your ways for all of humanity. I’ve become mostly good at knowing what’s best for me. But I confess I sometimes impose that on others. Help me to avoid over-applying what’s best for me upon others. So give me a perspective that understands how you provide for the needs of others. Give me the wisdom to see how you provide uniquely.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.