When the Trouble Began

Scripture – Luke 6:1-5: 1One 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. 2Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 3Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He 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.” 5Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Reflection: Here’s where the trouble really begins. The conflict between the kingdom of God and the established religious order on earth is demonstrated clearly in this scene.

Technically the disciples of Jesus were harvesting grain on the Sabbath – an act specifically forbidden in the Jewish law. But the interpretation of that law had been carried to such extremes even a pleasant walk in the country could become unlawful. Devotion to the law became greater than devotion to the Lord who gave the law.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing here. He used an example from the Pharisees’ own Bible to illustrate that the needs of people – the authentic needs of real people – supersede artificial or blind obedience to the law.

Then He made the astounding claim that He is “Lord of the Sabbath.” He is the one who can create new rules. He is the one in charge. The line is being drawn. The way to the cross is opening.