How appropriate that chapter 6 begins by talking about the Sabbath. Today is Sunday, and our day of rest and reflection and worship.
The Pharisees were petty and judgmental. They were upset because the Old Testament “rule” was to not work on the Sabbath. They had made the rules more important than God.
Jesus set them straight and reminded them of the reason for the rules. The Sabbath was for worship. Eating, helping others, and showing God’s love were what the Sabbath was truly about.
Then Jesus sets apart his apostles, his inner group of 12 men who will be the foundation when he is gone.
The amazing Becky Brown sums up the rest of the chapter so eloquently, that I will share her words here:
“Jesus selects the Twelve then He calls them to come to Him on the mountain. A lesson we all need to see is that shortly they would descend the mountain to meet the needs of the people below. Never try to meet the needs of others below before you spend time with the Father and receive His orders from above.
The marching orders of Jesus for His disciples are given in this sermon in the rest of Luke Six. The disciples were beginning their training as the ever present multitude audited the class. Blessings are showered. Woes are sounded. Love for enemies is commanded. Mercy for others is expected. Generosity in all things is modeled. Obedience is required. Fruit is revealed by inspection. Want to know what’s in my heart? Watch my life and listen to my words.”
Here is a good summation of the chapter.
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45 NIV
It all starts with personal reflection and truth within yourself. Our society today focuses so much on immediate pleasure that we forget the deep, inner truths that set us apart and keep us connected with God.
Happy Sunday Friends.
Dr Vet Sonya 