Luke 6:1, 6

Luke 6:1, 6: “On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands… On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.”

It’s important that we understand the purpose of God’s Law. God’s commands are given for our good, not our harm. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Be careful not to get the order reversed.

If you’ve ever felt like you were being watched like a hawk, then you have an idea of what Jesus experienced. As His notoriety grew, so did the scrutiny surrounding Him. One particular area the religious leaders watched closely was His observance of the Sabbath. But Jesus kept God’s Sabbath, not man’s traditions surrounding it. The religious leaders had become so consumed with their rules that they missed the very purpose of the Sabbath—it was made for man, not man for it.

Do you understand the purpose of God’s Law? The Law was never given as a means by which sinful people could make themselves righteous before God. Rather, it exposes our sin and reveals our need for a Savior. The Sabbath also served as a gracious gift from God, providing rest from the normal demands of life. But ultimately, it pointed beyond itself to the greater rest we have in Jesus Christ.

What a blessing that our salvation does not depend upon our works. Imagine if we had to earn our way into God’s favor—yikes! Instead, Jesus did the work for us, and through faith in Him we can rest in what He has accomplished.

Father, remind us daily of Your Law and statutes, not as a means of earning righteousness, but as a reminder of our great need for Jesus. Keep us humble, dependent upon You, and resting in the finished work of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.