DAY 22
Marc Turnage
Scripture
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.” - Luke 6:1-5
It’s common to assume that Jesus purposely violated Jewish law to prove He was the Messiah. However, Jewish law recognized that certain laws superseded others, so the question they commonly wrestled with was, “Which was the most important?”
In today’s passage, Marc explains that Jesus used the term “Son of Man” three ways in the Gospels: 1) as a human being; 2) His passion predictions; and 3) His role as the judge of the end of days. And so, His statement, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath,” should be read through this grid.
The parallel passage in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath,” indicates that “son of man” here means a human being. So too, when He says in Matthew that something greater than the temple is here, He is not referring to Himself but to mercy, to the needs of the individual.
For further study, see Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28.
Question: Today, how can we demonstrate the value of the individual in our families, our workplaces, and our communities? How can we let those around us know they matter to God and to us—with the intention of showing them God's love rather than condemning them?
Family Chat: Can you let someone know today how much they mean to you and to God? Here are some ideas! Leave a sticky note for your mom, color a picture for your teacher, send a card to your grandma.
Take Action: Do the things you talked about when you answered today’s questions. Then talk with your life group about how it went for you, and even what you will do differently next time.
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