Teachings of Jesus in Luke: Sabbath

We are in the year of the Gospel of Luke, so let's spend some time looking at some of Jesus' teachings there.
One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” ~ Luke 6:1-5
When we abide in Jesus, all our questions about how we Sabbath are answered in who we worship. ~ Shelly Miller, Rhythms of Rest

I grew up in Texas when blue laws were still stringent. You couldn't buy certain things on Sundays in the grocery store, malls were closed altogether, and you certainly couldn't buy drink on Sundays. (in fact, during the time of my childhood I remember that my hometown was completely dry. You couldn't by alcohol period).

 But there were a lot of things that still happened. This was Texas, so football was a notable thing. But certainly folks still drove their cars, went visiting, and got into arguments. 

 Did some judging and backbiting probably too.

 Why is it so important to the Pharisees that Jesus and his disciples not eat the heads of grain? How did it hurt the law to feed themselves? Was it just for them to demand this?

 When is the law itself not just?

 What was the Sabbath created for anyway?

 I'll admit that occasionally I still feel guilty when I do certain things on a Sunday - especially going shopping or getting into an argument.

 And then I wonder, "Was the Sabbath created to make us feel guilty?"

 Or was the Sabbath created for our well-being?

 To give us rest. To give us a time set apart from the cares of the world and a time to remember who it is that wants our well-being.

 And if our well-being includes eating a nice handful of grain, then so be it.

 Especially if it helps us remember from whom the grain came.
Prayer: Thank you for the gift of Sabbath. Help me to remember it in ways that are healing and promote well-being. Amen.



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