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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Luke 6, we come across one topic which has caused so much trouble, particularly in Scotland, and it is that of the SABBATH. Jesus Christ and His disciples are relaxing - strolling – getting away from the clammouring crowds and the various demanding pressures of ministry. The disciples pick some ears of corn as they walk, rub them in their hands and eat the grain, only to be accused of harvesting! The laws of the religious leaders were tough and restrictive. They said that dragging a chair across the dry earthen floor was ploughing. Legalism is a terrible thing.
These people are following Jesus - to SPY on HIM. They loved to argue over superficial trivial matters. When we move away from what God is doing we get tied up in all kinds of irrelevant arguments and futile discussions. The real issue here is not what we do or do not do on the Sabbath - but Jesus - who does He think He is? That is their basic problem!
Jesus answered them by referring to the Scriptures of the Old Testament and a unique incident in the life of King David, and the conclusion to which Jesus Christ comes is very clear. He is Lord. These critics realized what He meant by that. At that time a Lord was Lord and you did not argue with a Lord. He was boss in every possible aspect. We have moved so far away from this today that it might be a difficult concept for some to grasp.
Verse 6. Jesus is in the synagogue and it is the Sabbath day. No matter how dry, dead, or lifeless the church of the day might appear, Jesus Christ was present in the synagogue to worship. There was a man present whose right hand was shrivelled, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were also present, looking for that opportunity to accuse Jesus of breaking their law. O, it is all right to accuse on the Sabbath. They are not present to worship but to keep a beady eye on JESUS! Would HE or wouldn’t HE? Would He heal this needy man on the Sabbath? Jesus knew what they were thinking but that did not prevent Him from ministering to this shrivilled hand.
He challenged those critics who were observing His every move. “What is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” They were furious.
Jesus had ruffled their religious feathers once again. This could put people off Church for ever. Jesus could see right through them. He ignored them. He addressed the needy man. The withered hand is healed and usable.
It is possible to follow for the wrong reasons. It is possible to run around Jesus and around ‘church’ for the wrong reasons. Jesus Christ can shock at times and He certainly did that on this occasion.
They thought they were Church, but they weren’t. They were pillars of what was crumbling. This is not what God intended them to be. And they are not interested in the person. Now, that is serious. Beware of legalism but be interested in people. Beware of rules and regulations and outward show. Be compassionate and concerned about those is need.
The plot thickens as they discuss how they might silence and get rid of this powerful teacher who has suddenly appeared on the scene. This is what I find difficult in the Bible – not the miracles – but the men with closed hearts and minds who wanted to criticize and find fault with Jesus Christ.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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