Luke 6
Picking grain on Sabbath verse 1- 2
And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first
that HE went through the corn fields
and HIS disciples plucked the ears of corn
and did eat – rubbing them in their hands
And certain of the Pharisees said to them
Why do you that which is not lawful
to do on the Sabbath days?
Jesus gives Pharisees Old Testament example verse 3- 5
And Jesus answering them said
Have you not read so much as this – what David did
when himself was an hungered
and they which were with him
How he went into the house of God
and did take and eat the showbread
and gave also to them that were with him
which it is not lawful to eat but for the
priests alone?
And HE said to them
That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath
Healing on the Sabbath verse 6- 7
her Sabbath
that HE entered into the synagogue and taught
and there was a man whose right hand was withered
AND the scribes and Pharisees watched HIM
whether HE would heal on the Sabbath day
that they might find an accusation against HIM
Jesus does good on the Sabbath verse 8- 11
BUT HE knew their thoughts
and said to the man which had the withered hand
Rise up and stand forth in the midst
AND he arose and stood forth
THEN said Jesus to them
I will ask you one thing
Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good
or to do evil?
to save life – or to destroy it?
AND looking round about on them all – HE said to the man
Stretch forth your hand
AND he did so – and his hand was restored whole as the other
and they were filled with madness
and communed one with another
what they might do to Jesus
Twelve disciples chosen verse 12- 16
And it came to pass in those days
that HE went out into a mountain to pray
and continued all night in prayer to God
And when it was day – HE called to HIM HIS disciples
and of them HE chose twelve – whom also HE named apostles
Simon (whom HE also named Peter) – Andrew his brother
James – John – Philip – Bartholomew – Matthew
Thomas – James the son of Alpheus
Simon called Zelotes – Judas – the brother of James
Judas Iscariot – which also was the traitor
People crowd Jesus for HIS healing power verse 17- 19
And HE came down with them – and stood in the plain
and the company of HIS disciples
and a great multitude of people
out of all Judea and Jerusalem
and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon
which came to hear HIM
and to be healed of their diseases
and they that were vexed with unclean spirits
and they were healed
And the whole multitude sought to touch HIM
FOR there went virtue out of HIM
and healed them all
Beatitudes verse 20- 23
And HE lifted up HIS eyes on HIS disciples – and said
BLESSED be you poor – for yours is the kingdom of God
BLESSED are you that hunger now
for you shall be filled
BLESSED are you that weep now
for you shall laugh
BLESSED are you – when men shall hate you
and when they shall separate you from their company
and shall reproach you
and shall cast out your name as evil
FOR the Son of man’s sake
REJOICE you in that day – and leap for joy
FOR BEHOLD – your reward is great in heaven
FOR in the like manner did their fathers to the prophets
Jesus gives time perspective verse 24- 26
BUT WOE to you that are rich
FOR you have receive your consolation
WOE to you that are full
FOR you shall be hungry
WOE to you that laugh now
FOR you shall mourn and weep
WOE to you – when all men shall speak well of you
FOR so did their fathers to the false prophets
Jesus gives instructions regarding enemies verse 27- 31
BUT I say to you which hear
Love your enemies – do good to them which hate you
Bless them that curse you
and pray for them which despitefully use you
AND to him that smites you on the one cheek offer also the other
and him that takes away thy cloak forbid not
to take your coat also
Give to every man that asks you
and of him that takes away your goods
ask them not again
AND as you would that men should do to you
do also to them likewise
Jesus gives instructions regarding love verse 32- 34
FOR IF you love them which love you
What thank have you?
FOR sinners also love those that love them
AND IF you do good to them which do good to you
What thank have you?
FOR sinners also love those that love them
AND IF you lend to them of whom you hope to receive
What thank have you?
FOR sinners also lend to sinners
to receive as much again
Jesus explains who are children of the Highest verse 35- 36
BUT love you your enemies – and do good – and lend
hoping for nothing again and your reward shall be great
and you shall be the children of the Highest
for HE is kind to the unthankful
and to the evil
BE you therefore merciful – as your Father also is merciful
Attitude toward others explained verse 37- 38
Judge not – and you shall not be judged
condemn not – and you shall not be condemned
forgive – and you shall be forgiven
Give – and it shall be given to you good measure
pressed down – shaken together
and running over
shall men give into your bosom
FOR with the same measured
that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again
Jesus illustrates truth verse 39- 42
AND HE spoke a parable unto them
Can the blind lead the blind?
Shall they not both fall into the ditch?
The disciple is not above his master
BUT everyone that is perfect shall be as his master
AND why behold you the mote that is in your brother’s eye
BUT perceive not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Either how can you say to your brother
Brother – let me pull out the mote that is in your eye
when you yourself behold not the beam that is
in your own eye?
YOU HYPOCRITE – cast out first the beam out of your own eye
and THEN you shalt see clearly
to pull out the mote that is in your brother’s eye
Jesus illustrates through types of fruit verse 43- 45
FOR a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit
NEITHER does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit
FOR every tree is known by his own fruit
FOR of thorns men do not gather figs
nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth
that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure
of his heart brings forth that which is evil
FOR of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks
Jesus illustrates through foundations of house verse 46- 49
AND why call you ME – Lord – Lord
and do not the things which I say?
Whosoever comes to ME – and hears MY sayings – and does them
I will show you to whom he is like
He is like a man which built an house – and digged deep
and laid the foundation on a rock – and when the flood arose
the stream beat vehemently upon that house
and could not shake it
FOR it was founded upon a rock
BUT he that hears – and does not
He is like a man that without a foundation built an
house upon the earth against which the stream
did beat vehemently and immediately it fell
AND the ruin of that house was great
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched HIM, whether HE would heal on the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against HIM. (2724 “accusation” [kategoria] means charge, speaking evil, accusing someone, complaint, criminal charge, or speaking against.)
DEVOTION: For most of my ministry I prepared the bulletins for each Sunday. When I started it was the old mimeograph machine. It was hard to put it on the machine. The ink would be all over the place at times. Usually I would have the ink on my hands. Sometimes it would even get on the bulletins.
One of the other problems was that I have always struggled with grammar and spelling. Before spell check on computers there were very little tools to check spelling. SO on any given Sunday there would be spelling or grammar errors or some ink on the bulletins.
Do you think that people would notice all the things that were right with the bulletin? NO, someone would bring things to my attention that was wrong with the bulletin.
My comments went from “I put that in the bulletin just for you to find” or “Would you like to do the bulletin next week?” No one volunteered in my first two churches but in my third I had a wonderful unpaid secretary who did an excellent job on the bulletins. There would be an error once in a while that was brought to my attention and I would say the same things to them that I said to those in my first church.
There are people who will be looking for things wrong with what you are doing most of the time. They like to think that they are better than you but really they commit errors in the same or other areas also.
Fault finders will always be around. Our responsibility is to do the best that we can and let the rest take care of itself. Don’t let fault finders upset you. Turn them over to the LORD. HE is going to deal with them.
CHALLENGE: God knows our intention and it should be to always do the best we can and leave it there.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. (4273 “traitor” [prodotes] means betrayer, treacherous person, a person who violates an allegiance and betrays someone or something, or one who abandons in danger.)
DEVOTION: Jesus chose the twelve disciples. HE did this after praying all night to the Father regarding HIS choices. HE came away from HIS prayer meeting with the Father with twelve names.
One of the names was of the one who would betray HIM. HE is called a traitor by Luke as he writes this book. Luke was not one of the twelve but became a disciple later. All he could see was that Judas Iscariot was someone who betrayed the LORD.
Why would Jesus chose a traitor to follow HIM with the other disciples? We know that HE knew ahead of time that Judas was going to do this. Yet HE had him with them from the beginning.
It is a warning to us that even though the other disciples didn’t know the hearts of each other the LORD did. They didn’t know that Judas was a traitor. To them they thought he was just another disciple with struggles. They thought he was one of them.
We need to realize that in every church there could be a traitor or someone who would betray us. It is a sad fact but true. Not everyone who looks and sounds good is a genuine believer in Jesus Christ.
Our responsibility is to look and sound good and mean business with God. Does that mean we will never fail God? NO! Does failure mean that we are going to be a betrayer? NO!! We fail but we need to ask forgiveness and the LORD will give it to us. Then we need to get back to serving HIM with the help of the Holy Spirit. We need to serve the LORD with a smile even when things are not going according to our plan.
CHALLENGE: God knew from the foundation of the world that Judas was going to betray Jesus. HE was not surprised at all. Neither should we be.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (1411 “virtue” [dunamis] means power, mighty work, strength, miracle, might, inherit power, supernatural power, or capacity.)
DEVOTION: We have covered this word before but it is important to realize that it was because the LORD was given the capacity to do miracles HE didn’t do them all the time. HE selected times to do miracles and other times to not do things that the people wanted HIM to do. They were not satisfied with HIS decisions at times. They kept pressing HIM. They sought to touch HIM. They wanted to be healed. They were only thinking of themselves. They were not considerate of the LORD at times. It was all about them.
Sometimes it is all about our will rather than God’s will. We have to be willing to pray that the LORD’S will be done in all of our situations. If our will is done it could cause problems down the road.
Remember Hezekiah praying for fifteen more years and in that time period he had a son born who was the wickedest king in Judah. He received what he considered the right answer to his prayer but it wasn’t the best for the nation.
We have to watch what we pray for from the LORD. We have to watch our desires so that they match what the LORD wants in our life. What we seek and what the LORD wants us to seek can be two different things.
Our prayer life should be that “if it is YOUR will LORD” not my will be done as Jesus prayed in the Garden. Our seeking needs the Holy Spirit’s guidance at all times.
HIS inherit capacity to heal is always available. HE sometimes wants us to accept weakness in our service to HIM. HE could end all sickness but we would think that it was something we had done. Sickness is a teaching tool of the LORD. Accept it at times.
CHALLENGE: Yield to the LORD and ask HIM what HIS will is in any given prayer request we bring before HIM.
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: 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend; hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (5543 “kind” [chrestos] means loving, pleasant, fit, fit for use, useful, virtuous, good, gracious or manageable.
DEVOTION: Jesus has called the twelve disciples after a night of prayer with the Father.
With the calling comes instruction. Here we have Jesus instructing the disciples on how they should and how they should teach others. HE deals with those who will be blessed. HE warns those who will be cursed. HE warns the disciples that they are going to be abused like the prophets of God in the Old Testament. HE teaches them how to treat those who mistreat them.
On that thought HE deals with those who are enemies. These are individuals who are not just indifferent to you. These are people who try to hurt you. They are people who will take advantage of you.
Jesus tells HIS disciples to lend money to these individuals. HE tells them to love these individuals.
Why would the LORD want us to treat our enemies this way? There is common grace to all who are on the earth. At this time in history God is allowing the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. God is allowing everyone an opportunity to hear the gospel and respond. Only those who respond to the gospel will be the children of the Highest. The group is small.
Jesus was training his disciples on the ethics of the Christian life. This small group is commanded by Christ to love their enemies. They are to pray for their enemies. They are to do good while they are in the world, not for salvation but for thankfulness. There is a verse in the book of Romans (2:4) that informs us that being loving leads to repentance.
Our goal should be the salvation of our enemy. It might not happen but we will be rewarded if we treat our enemies the way the LORD tells HIS disciples to treat them.
This sermon is used to help us understand our responsibilities while we are here on this earth. When the end of this age happens, there will be a day of judgment for the unthankful and evil. We should be the most thankful people in the world, if we have Christ in our heart. Are we that thankful people? What have we done to show to show our thankfulness today? Have we sent an email to thank someone for a gift, a prayer, a kind act, etc.
CHALLENGE: Write a letter or send an email to someone who has encouraged you in the faith.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
Jesus on mountain praying all night verse 12
All night prayer meeting verse 12
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Jesus communicates with Father- all night verse 12
Jesus says to pray for those
who despitefully use you verse 28
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sabbath verse 1, 2, 5- 7, 9
House of God verse 4
Shewbread verse 4
Priests verse 4
Synagogue verse 6
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
David verse 3
Lawful verse 9
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verse 4, 12
Father is merciful verse 36
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesus verse 3, 9, 11
Son of man verse 5, 22
Lord verse 5, 46
Taught in synagogue verse 6
Healing of man with withered hand verse 6
Knew thoughts verse 8
Hear Jesus verse 17
Healed diseases verse 17- 19
Virtue verse 19
Kind to unthankful verse 35
Parable verse 39
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God verse 4, 20
House of God verse 4
Kingdom of God verse 20
Highest verse 35
Children of the Highest verse 35
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Unclean spirits (evil angels) verse 18, 19
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation
Love enemies verse 35
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Not lawful verse 2, 4
Accusation against Jesus verse 7
Evil verse 9, 22, 35, 45
Destroy life verse 9
Filled with madness verse 11
Traitor verse 16
Hate believers verse 22, 27
Separate believers from others verse 22
Reproach believers verse 22
Woe to rich verse 24
False prophets verse 26
Hate verse 27
Curse verse 28
Despitefully use verse 28
Take away goods of believers verse 30
Sinners verse 32- 34
Unthankful verse 35
Hypocrite verse 42
Corrupt fruit verse 43
Evil treasure of heart verse 45
False followers of Lord verse 46, 49
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Teach verse 6
Do good verse 9, 27, 35, 45
Save life verse 9
Pray verse 12, 28
All night prayer meeting verse 12
Disciples verse 13
Twelve verse 13
Apostles verse 13
Healed verse 17, 19
Virtue verse 19
Blessed verse 20, 21, 28
Rejoice verse 23
Leap for joy verse 23
Prophets verse 23
Reward verse 23, 35
Love your enemies verse 27, 35
Give verse 30, 38
Treat others well verse 31
Lend – hoping nothing back verse 35
Children of the Highest verse 35
Kind to the unthankful and evil verse 35
Merciful verse 36
Judge not verse 37
Condemn not verse 37
Forgive verse 37
Perfect verse 40
Mote vs beam verse 41- 43
Fruit verse 43, 44
Good man verse 45
Hear & do verse 47, 48
Foundation on rock verse 48
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Pharisees verse 2, 7
David verse 3
Scribes verse 7
Judaea verse 17
Jerusalem verse 17
Tyre verse 17
Sidon verse 17
Fathers verse 23
Prophets verse 23
Disciple verse 40
Perfect (Mature) verse 40
Church (New Testament people of God)
Disciples verse 1, 17, 20
Simon (Peter) verse 14
Andrew (Peter’s brother) verse 14
James verse 14
John verse 14
Philip verse 14
Bartholomew verse 14
Matthew verse 15
Thomas verse 15
James the son of Alphaeus verse 15
Simon called Zelotes verse 15
Judas the brother of James verse 16
Judas Iscariot (traitor) verse 16
Hungry shall be filled verse 21
Weep with laugh verse 21
Last Things (Future Events)
Kingdom of God verse 20
Reward in heaven verse 23
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QUOTES regarding passage
The idea of the devil as the accuser of sinful man before God is found in the OT at Job 1:6 ff.; Zech. 3:1 ff. It is widespread in Judaism. The NT has it only here and perhaps in part at Jn. 12:31. Paul in R. 8:33 refers only to accusation, not to the accuser. The idea of the devil is only peripheral in the true NT doctrine of salvation. (Kittel, G., Bromiley, G. W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964–). Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 3, p. 636). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.)
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katḗgoros, katḗgōr. katḗgoros, meaning “speaking against,” “accusing,” is used judicially in the NT in Acts 23:30, 35; 26:16, 18; Rev. 12:10, though this should probably be katḗgōr, “accuser,” i.e., the devil. The devil as katḗgōr occurs in Job 1:6ff.; Zech. 3:1ff., and the idea is common in Judaism. In the NT, see Jn. 12:31 as well as Rev. 12:10. In Rom. 8:33 Paul refers only to accusation.
katēgoréō. This means “to accuse,” or, more broadly, “to betray,” “to make known,” “to declare.” In the NT it has mostly the judicial sense (Mk. 3:2; 15:3, 4; Lk. 23:10; Jn. 5:45; Acts 22:30, etc.). More general accusation is the point in Rom. 2:15. We never find the meaning “to declare” in the NT.
katēgoría. This means judicial “accusation” (also “predicate” in grammar and “category” in logic). In the NT it means “accusation” in Lk. 6:7; Jn. 18:29; 1 Tim. 5:19; Tit. 1:6. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 422). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.)
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6–8 The second Sabbath controversy involves basically the same issue as the first—human need versus ceremonial law. Luke presents some specific details, lacking in the parallels in the other Synoptics, that show this event occurred on a different Sabbath, and that it was the man’s right hand Jesus healed (v. 6). As in 4:15–16, 31–33, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. Luke does not say that the man actually asked for healing; Jesus simply took the initiative. The hand was “shriveled,” i.e., atrophied and useless. As in 5:17, the “Pharisees and teachers of the law” (v. 7) are present, scrutinizing Jesus’ every action to find fault. Now, after the first Sabbath controversy, they think they have a case against him. Man’s reasonings tend to be evil (Gen 6:5; 8:21; Eph 5:17–18); Jesus is aware of their thoughts (v. 8) and in the light of that knowledge performs the healing. He has the man stand in front of the people so that all will see what follows. (Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 887). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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The scribes and the Pharisees (οἱ γραμματεις και οἱ Φαρισαιοι [hoi grammateis kai hoi Pharisaioi]). Only Luke here though Pharisees named in Matt. 12:14 and Pharisees and Herodians in Mark 3:6. Watched him (παρετηρουντο αὐτον [paretērounto auton]). Imperfect middle, were watching for themselves on the side (παρα [para]). Mark 3:2 has the imperfect active παρετηρουν [paretēroun]. Common verb, but the proposition παρα [para] gave an extra touch, watching either assiduously like the physician at the bedside or insidiously with evil intent as here. Would heal (θεραπευσει [therapeusei]). But the present active indicative (θεραπευει [therapeuei]) may be the correct text here. So Westcott and Hort. That they might find out how to accuse him (ἱνα εὑρωσιν κατηγορειν αὐτου [hina heurōsin katēgorein autou]). Second aorist active subjunctive of εὑρισκω [heuriskō] and the infinitive with it means to find out how to do a thing. They were determined to make a case against Jesus. They felt sure that their presence would prevent any spurious work on the part of Jesus. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Lk 6:7). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
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In the synagogue (vv. 6–11). The Pharisees knew that it was our Lord’s practice to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath, so they were there to watch Him and to gather more evidence against Him. Did they know that the handicapped man would also be there? Did they “plant” him there? We do not know, and Jesus probably did not care. His compassionate heart responded to the man’s need, and He healed him. Jesus could have waited a few hours until the Sabbath was over, or He could have healed the man in private, but He did it openly and immediately. It was a deliberate violation of the Sabbath traditions.
Our Lord’s defense in the field was based on the Old Testament Scriptures, but His defense in the synagogue was based on the nature of God’s Sabbath law. God gave that law to help people, not to hurt them. “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Every man in the synagogue would rescue a sheep on the Sabbath, so why not rescue a man made in the image of God? (Matt. 12:11–12) The scribes and Pharisees had turned God’s gift into a heavy yoke that nobody could bear (Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1).
This miracle illustrates the power of faith in God’s Word. Jesus commanded the man to do the very thing he could not do, and yet he did it! “For no word from God shall be void of power” (Luke 1:37, asv). God’s commandments are always God’s enablements.
The scribes and Pharisees were filled with fury. It certainly did not do them any good to worship God in the synagogue that morning. So angry were they that they even joined forces with the Herodians (the Jews who supported Herod) in a plot to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6). Jesus knew their thoughts (Matt. 12:15; Luke 6:8); so He merely withdrew to the Sea of Galilee, ministered to the multitudes, and then went up to a mountain alone to pray.
Jesus gives a spiritual “Sabbath rest” that is in the heart all the time (Matt. 11:28–30). Unlike the galling yoke of the Law, the yoke that Jesus gives is “well-fitting,” and His “burden is light.” When the sinner trusts the Saviour, he has peace with God because his sins are forgiven and he is reconciled to God (Rom. 5:1–11). As the believer yields to Christ in daily experience, he enjoys “the peace of God” in his heart and mind (Phil. 4:6–7). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 190–191). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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6:6 On another Sabbath. Luke, by adding this to the account, tied the present incident even more closely to the preceding one than in Mark.
He went into the synagogue and was teaching. Luke pointed out that Jesus’ purpose for being in the synagogue was to teach. No doubt he deduced this from Jesus’ normal synagogue activity (cf. Luke 4:15, 16–30, 31–38).
And a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. Luke accentuated the man’s physical woes by pointing out that the hand affected was the most important one, i.e., the right hand. In 22:50 Luke also became more specific and added “right,” but in 6:29 he omitted “right.” “Shriveled” refers here either to paralysis or atrophy.
6:7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. Jesus’ opponents did not doubt Jesus’ ability to heal. This is granted. The issue for them was whether Jesus’ healing power was divine or demonic (11:14–20). Although the Pharisaic tradition knew of exceptions when the Sabbath could be broken, e.g., for life-threatening situations (Yoma 8:6), the healing of a shriveled hand did not qualify as such an exception (cf. Luke 13:14). By now, due to 4:31–41; 6:1–5, Jesus’ attitude toward the Sabbath was well-known, so that his opponents were observing his Sabbath behavior to see if they could catch him profaning the Sabbath. The term “to accuse” refers to finding a legal accusation that could be used in court against Jesus.
6:8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. Luke was not seeking here to indicate that Jesus possessed a great understanding of human nature. Rather he indicated Jesus possessed a prophetic awareness of human thoughts.
Get up and stand in front of everyone. Jesus was in charge of the situation and confronted his opponents.
6:9 Jesus challenged the thought of his opponents. The ultimate issue for him was not doing good versus doing nothing but rather doing good versus doing evil, for failure to do good in such instances is in effect to do evil (cf. Jas 4:17).
6:10 Jesus’ opponents were not able to respond. Compare Luke 13:17; 14:6. Luke in abbreviating the Markan account did not include the statement that Jesus looked around in anger and was deeply distressed (Mark 3:5).
He did so, and his hand was completely restored. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath is evidence that he is indeed Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5).
6:11 But they were furious. “Were furious” is literally filled with madness or folly.
What they might do to Jesus. This serves as the conclusion of both 6:1–5 and 6:6–11. (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, pp. 189–190). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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6:6–11. This second contention about the Sabbath (cf. the first one in vv. 1–5) seems to have been brought about purposely by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. As Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, He encountered a man … whose right hand was shriveled. The religious leaders were observing Jesus because they were looking for a reason to accuse Him. As was the case when He was opposed previously by religious leaders, Jesus knew what they were thinking (5:22). He used the situation to show that He has authority over the Sabbath. Jesus said … I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it? By this question He showed that refusing to do good on the Sabbath was tantamount to doing evil. If suffering is not alleviated, then one is doing evil to the sufferer.
As the man stretched out his hand at Jesus’ command, it was completely restored. Jesus performed no “work” on the Sabbath—He simply spoke a few words and a hand was completely restored. He humiliated the religious leaders and healed the man all at the same time without even breaking the Pharisees’ law. It is no wonder that the religious establishment was furious and sought a way to get rid of Him. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 219). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 6. And it came to pass also on another sabbath, &c.] Whether the following sabbath, or some time after, is not certain, that he entered into the synagogue. The Arabic version reads, into their synagogue, as in Matt. 12:9 the synagogue of the Jews; in what place, whether at Capernaum, or some other city of Galilee, is not so clear: and taught; explained the Scriptures to the people, and instructed them in the doctrines of the Gospel: and there was a man whose right hand was withered; who was in the synagogue, and one of his hearers; see the note on Matt. 12:10.
Ver. 7. And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him, &c.] See the note on Mark 3:2. whether he would heal on the sabbath-day: there being such an object before him: that they might find an accusation against him; as they had before against his disciples.
Ver. 8. But he knew their thoughts, &c.] Being the omniscient God; though they had said nothing of their intentions, he knew what they designed, should he heal the man with his withered hand, as they expected he would: and said to the man which had the withered hand, rise up, and stand forth in the midst. The Syriac and Persic versions add, of the synagogue, and which is the true sense; see the note on Mark 3:3. and he arose and stood forth; he rose up from his seat, and stood up in the midst of the synagogue, and of the people, that he might be seen of all.
Ver. 9. Then said Jesus unto them, &c.] The Scribes and Pharisees, who were watching him, and whose thoughts, and the reasonings of their minds, purposes, and intentions, he full well knew: I will ask you one thing; or question, as they had asked him one before; see Matt. 12:10 is it lawful on the sabbath-days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? see the note on Mark 3:4. to which may be added, that to save life on the sabbath-day was agreeable to their own canons: there were many things which they allowed might be done on the sabbath-day, when life was in danger, which otherwise were not lawful; see the note on Matt. 12:8.
Ver. 10. And looking round about upon them all, &c.] The Scribes and Pharisees, and the rest of the people in the synagogue; see the note on Mark 3:5. he said to the man; who had the withered hand, stretch forth thy hand, and he did so; he stretched it out, as the Syriac and Persic versions render it, which he was not able to do before: and his hand was restored well as the other; the phrase, well as the other, is left out in one copy, and in the Vulgate Latin version; and so is the word well in the Syriac and Arabic versions; and the word immediately is added in the Ethiopic version. And certain it is, that his withered hand was restored sound and well as the other, directly.
Ver. 11. And they were filled with madness, &c.] Both at the cure, and because they could not answer him; nor properly fix a charge upon him, or accuse him before the people, without bringing their resentments on them: and communed one with another what they might do with Jesus: this they did after they came out of the synagogue, and when with the Herodians, as in Mark 3:6 see the note there. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 560). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Each generation in history gas experienced storms, and ours will not escape. In each generation false prophets have predicted “peace and safety,” but the storms have swept down just the same (I Thess. 5:3), and judgment begins in the house of the Lord (Ezek. 9: 4-6; Jer. 25:29; I Pet. 4: 17-18). Are we ready? (p. 163)
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JOHN MACARTHUR TELLS THE FEMALE PREACHER BETH MOORE TO “GO HOME” (Friday Church News Notes, November 1, 2019, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) – At a Truth Matters Conference at his Grace Community Church, October 16-18, 2019, John MacArthur was asked at a Q&A session about Beth Moore. MacArthur answered with two words, “go home.” He followed this with, “There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End of discussion. … I think this is feminism gone to church. This is why we can’t let the culture exegete the Bible.” That is biblical exhortation, 100%, and MacArthur will certainly not regret it at the judgment seat of Christ. While we can’t accept MacArthur’s Reformed theology, we very much appreciate outspoken preachers in this cowardly era. And he said this on the 50th anniversary of his ministry. In May of this year, Moore said that she has come to the conclusion that men who oppose women preachers are jealous and carnal. Apparently she had a revelation that gave her the ability to judge the heart motives of other people. After SBC professor Owen Strachan of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary said that “women should not preach on Sunday to the church,” Moore publicly reproved him on her Twitter account, saying, “I would be terrified to be a woman you’d approve of.” In so saying, she is admitting that she refuses to be a woman the apostle Paul would approve of, since he is the one who forcefully forbade women to “teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12). Beth Moore is not very good at being in silence, or, it would seem, with exhibiting the “meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:4). She called Owen’s biblical position “sexism and misogyny.” Not surprisingly, MacArthur was widely criticized, including by J.D. Greear, Southern Baptist Convention president, and Danny Akin, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary president. Some criticized MacArthur for his view, others for his “tone.” But those who think John MacArthur is harsh need to spend more time with the old God-approved Bible preachers such as Enoch, who said of this present generation, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are UNGODLY among them of all their UNGODLY deeds which they have UNGODLY committed, and of all their hard speeches which UNGODLY sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 15). How about that for “tone”! I wonder if Enoch is a misogynist?
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1 Thessalonians 1
The Thessalonians follow Paul’s life example and grow to spiritual maturity.
INSIGHT
Because the Christian life is more easily caught than taught, personal godliness is a powerful ministry tool, and imitation is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. Paul gave the Thessalonians not just the words of the Gospel, but also his very life – “you know what kind of men we were among you” (v. 5). The Thessalonian believers witnessed Paul’s life and imitated him, which resulted in spiritual growth for them – “you became followers of us” (v. 6). As a result, they became an example to the Macedonians and Achaians. This pattern of “life-on-life” ministry was first demonstrated by our Lord. Jesus selected 12 men “that they might be with Him” (Mark 3:14). Take a moment to think about how you can learn from or teach someone else in a mentoring relationship. (Quiet Walk)
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TEST THE SPIRITS
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
The position of the Scripture is one that faces two extremes: The Spirit is essential, and experience is vital; however, truth and definition and doctrine and dogma are equally vital and essential. And our whole position is one that proclaims that experience that is not based solidly upon truth and doctrine is dangerous.
There is the necessity for testing and trying the spirits. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” Now some people object root and branch to this process of testing. There are many reasons for that, of course. In the case of some people it is nothing but slackness, indolence, and laziness—a desire for ease.
But there are those who feel that this whole process of testing and trying the spirits is unscriptural. According to such people, the moment you begin to discuss and consider and define, you cease to be a spiritual person. But my reply to this is that we must test and try the spirits because Scripture commands and exhorts us to do so, and for me that is enough. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits.”
Not only that, but Scripture tells us why we ought to do so: “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Alas, there are false prophets; there are evil spirits; there is a devil who is so clever and subtle that he can transform himself into an angel of light. If we were confronted with the Holy Spirit only, there would be no need to test the spirits, but the very name “Holy Spirit” suggests other spirits, devilish spirits—and there are such powers.
A Thought to Ponder: We must test and try the spirits because Scripture commands and exhorts us to do so. (From The Love of God, pp. 18-20, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Fear of the Lord
“Then had the churches rest . . . and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)
There is something of a paradox in this requirement to “fear the Lord.” On the one hand, we “have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear” but have received “the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15). On the other hand, we are told to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Our text insists that we are to be “walking in the fear of the Lord.” Obviously, the context illustrates a lifestyle of godly behavior that is produced by our attitude toward God’s sovereign majesty and unique holiness as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We should “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:9).
It is clear that the “beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7), the “beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), and the “instruction of wisdom” (Proverbs 15:33) are founded in the fear of the Lord. It is also clear that the fear of the Lord is that which mimics God’s hatred of “evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [perverse] mouth” (Proverbs 8:13).
But the one who fears the Lord also knows “strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26) and has an unwavering satisfaction in his or her life (Proverbs 19:23). Indeed, such godly fear promises to prolong our days (Proverbs 10:27) and to be a “fountain of life” that keeps us from the “snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).
Knowledge of God should produce a “godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28) as we serve in the Kingdom—fear of His power and holiness and omniscience—yet also provide a steadfast rest in the knowledge that we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), gifted not with timidity, but with a spirit of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Theoretically, the sine qua non ought to lie in the recognition of the fact that God has distinguishably different economies in governing the affairs of the world. Covenant theologians hold that there are various dispensation (and even use the word) within the outworking of the covenant of grace. Charles Hodge, for instance, believed that there are four dispensations after the Fall – Adam to Abraham, Abraham to Moses, Moses to Christ, and Christ to the end. Berkhof writes, as we have seen, of only two basic dispensations – the Old and the New, but within the Old he sees four periods and all of these are revelations of the covenant of grace. In other words, a person can believe in dispensations, and even see them in relation to progressive revelation, without being a dispensationalist. (p. 45)
(Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie)
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DAILY HOPE
Today’s Scripture
Numbers 21-22
How quickly we can forget the blessings that come into our lives! I am amused when I watch our grandchildren open presents and become so excited over the new present, just to toss it aside to open another. What caused such joy a moment ago is forgotten in the excitement of a new, unopened present.
The nation of Israel had similar tendencies as they traveled from Egypt toward the Promised land. They received multiple blessings each day; God’s presence, the continual provision of manna, and the guidance provided by Moses’ face to face dialogue with God. These should have caused Israel to rejoice and be continually in awe of being chosen by the God of the universe.
God had provided victories over Israel’s enemies, directed their route, and provided all they needed to survive in this journey, yet they were dissatisfied and unthankful toward Moses and God (21:4-5). In response, God again disciplined and fiery serpents were sent to inflict judgment upon the ungrateful nation.
Like a loving parent, God provided and the nation was encouraged by victories over the enemies they encountered. With victories over Arad, Sihon, and Og, God prepared His people to be victorious in the land they had been promised to receive. If the people of God had been observant, they would clearly have seen God’s providential care.
We, as the readers of this book, get to see some of the ways God worked behind the scenes to influence potential adversaries of the nation of Israel. Balak, king of Moab seeks to hire Balaam, a prophet of God, to curse the people of Israel. Instead of cursing, God directs him to bless the Israelites instead.
Governments, as well as man, at times desire to inflict misery and pain upon the people of God. Yet, God is in control and will not allow all the destructive forces that an ungodly society may wish to unleash. In recognizing God’s goodness and protection upon His people, may we also thank Him for the daily unseen and hidden provisions of His care upon our lives and ministries.
Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
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