Luke 6:1-16
The Sabbath is an important commandment. It sets the weekly calendar, and ends up being the day around which the world revolves, and the cycle of life. The Sabbath is a day to calculate around, plan off of, and always be aware of. This is the day that Jesus gets in trouble on and for.
By now, the authorities are monitoring Jesus. They are watching him. They watch him plucking grain and eating it. They question him. Jesus answers them. He enters the synagogue, and heals a man with a withered hand. Aware that he is being watched, Jesus heals the man. There is muttering in the parking lot after the service.
Next Jesus goes and prays, by himself. He spends the night in prayer with God on the mountain. He spends what we might consider Sabbath time – time dedicated to God. From there, Jesus calls disciples. Which ones of these three acts are Sabbath worthy? Which ones aren’t? Feeding? Healing, Prayer, Calling? Is our understanding of Sabbath tied to a day of the week, or is it tied to the actions we take? Is Sabbath tied to life, or to death? Is Sabbath necessary for God, or for us? What defines Sabbath?
