Tuesday Thought -- May 3, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, 'Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' Jesus answered them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.' Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.'" (Luke 6:1-5)

For the Jews, any kind of working on the Sabbath was an affront to God. The Sabbath was to be set aside for Him. Even what the apostles did, just grabbing some grain in the field and eating it, was considered work. There were extremely strict rules for Sabbath-keeping.

American Christians don't struggle with that end of the pendulum at all. Almost no one is concerned about doing something productive on the day we set aside for worship. We don't mind cooking, doing a little cleaning, shopping, or pursuing other activities that require exertion.

In fact, I'd say we are at the other end of the pendulum on the issues addressed in this text. We are sometimes too cavalier about what we allow to take our focus off of the Lord on the day we set aside for worship. If it's a warm and sunny day, then a trip to the beach takes precedence over worship and fellowship with the church. If there is something that needs done around the

house or yard, that takes precedence over worship and fellowship. And a hundred other things that we want to do can take precedence, too.

Jesus declared, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." I wonder if Jesus would think He is Lord of our Sabbath? I wonder if the way we treat the time set aside for worship and fellowship reflects that we are listening to Jesus and doing what pleases Him. Or are we too cavalier about it and allow too many things to take priority over the time devoted to Him.

Is Jesus Lord of your Sabbath?

His, by Grace,

Steve