Have you ever missed the party while it was happening? Looking back, you realized, Oh man, that was it! The magic was happening right in front of me and I didn’t see it! I find myself in this situation again and again. Hiking on a mountain but missing the view on account of stinging flies. Or brushing off my children’s impromptu theatrical performances to keep to my own schedule. I even remember being so caught up in the minutiae of pins, flowers, and curling irons on my sister’s wedding day that I forgot to take in the simple beauty and goodness of my sister transformed into a bride until we found ourselves giggling in the bathroom at her reception.
We are all prone to miss the important things. In the moment, it can be tough to even know whether something is vital until it’s too late. The Pharisees are missing a tremendous moment that is right in front of them. Because Christ wasn’t what they expected, they turned off their sense of expectation. But that’s the thing: Christ does not appear as we want Him to. His law, His logic, His person, His actions, even His teaching, do not conform to man’s way of thinking or living. He comes as Lord of the Sabbath, and if we are caught up like the Pharisees in what we imagine that to be, we miss Him as He is.
Indeed, He is Lord of a kingdom that cuts against the grain of every human inclination. When He calls the twelve, He doesn’t pick from among the great or accomplished. He chooses the lowly, the ordinary, even the despised. When He heals, He does not curry favor with the high and mighty, but heals foreigners and the weak. His Beatitudes and the woes that follow overturn every modern notion of morality, self-esteem, and success. His call not to judge, but to love even our enemies, runs counter to every inclination toward self-justification and vengeance.
There are only two foundations: the foundation of Christ or the foundation of man’s natural disposition, which crumbles and fails. Instead of depending on the foundations that we build ourselves, we can stand on the foundation of the Lord of the Sabbath and stand secure. If we’re expecting Christ to be our personal sentimental version of newborn baby Jesus, we are going to miss the majesty and truth of Him as Lord of All.
Here is the good news: Though we are prone to hypocrisy, to blindness, to judgment and folly, Christ comes to us anyway; He comes, loving His enemies and doing good to those who despise Him. He makes us His, and we can take comfort in this promise: “Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Christ calls us away from ourselves to Himself, and in so doing, makes us like Himself. “We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
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44 thoughts on "Lord of the Sabbath"
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This is good – I don’t want to miss something huge because Christ is not what I expect Him to be. I will pray on this today.
Here is the good news: Though we are prone to hypocrisy, to blindness, to judgment and folly, Christ comes to us anyway; He comes, loving His enemies and doing good to those who despise Him. He makes us His, and we can take comfort in this promise: “Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Christ calls us away from ourselves to Himself, and in so doing, makes us like Himself. “We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
I love seeing this reminder that Jesus chose to minister to the needy, even when it flew in the face of what the religious people thought was right at the time. Jesus chooses people!
I am overwhelmed by the words of Jesus here. I count myself as someone who truly loves God but honestly, I can’t say I give to everyone who asks of me or that I really seek to love people who wrong me. I just hope I can learn from Jesus and be like him when judgment day comes!!
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He chooses the lowly and the ordinary. He doesn’t only use those who are brilliant and talented. He just wants people who will say “yes” to Him. Those who will let Him use them. Thank you, Father, for choosing the ordinary people! For choosing me. For using me.
FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. (my daughters taught me this phrase as I’m a bit out of the lingo loop). It seems to me we don’t want to miss a thing and yet we are less and less present in the moment. We are so busy taking selfies or recording the evrnt or in some way documenting it so others may marvel over our exciting life that we miss what is right in front of us. It’s a trap that can be prideful. As I read the Scriptures today, which are quite familiar, I find myself wanting to slow down and concentrate on each of Jesus’ statements. I could spend days on each one. This back span season is forcing me to sit still and meditate and pray. This painful physical season is a purposeful one, for His glory and to draw me closer to Him. Verse by verse.
I had an absolute TERRIBLE day at work and felt attacked by my boss and other managers. This scripture reminded me (Luke 6:27) that I should treat all those who do me wrong, right. It’s a “kill them with kindness” mentality that is hard to do. I pray I can do just this when asked about the situation. Instead of gossip & slander their name, as I sinfully want to. I’m begging for prayers during this hard situation. May I see Gods plan first of all.
I had an absolute TERRIBLE day at work and felt attacked by my boss and other managers. This scripture reminded me (Luke 6:27) that I should treat all those who do me wrong, right. It’s a “kill them with kindness” mentality that is hard to do. I pray I can do just this when asked about the situation. Instead of gossip & slander their name, as I sinfully want to. I’m begging for prayers during this hard situation. May I see Gods plan first of all.
Praying for you, Chelsea.
Thank you!!!!!
The charge we’re given in this passage–to not judge, to love our enemies, to offer the other cheek when stuck–is one I find I’m struggling with more and more as my eyes are opened to the humanity’s capacity for darkness. And then I get caught up in the human ways of writing people off. Jesus’ way is far from easy, and we constantly fall short. How deep is His grace that He still loves us and holds us in His heart? Wow
Luke 6 reminds us God takes us as we are flaws and all. Despite our stubbornness and human inclination to rely on flesh, He accepts and meets us where we are.
Building a foundation in God is necessary for this walk. There’s no expectation that it’s completed overnight, but brick by brick, or better yet by constant renewing of our minds, hearts and actions we dig deep and change.
Fearlessly continue in your journey knowing that everyday won’t be easy, and knowing that with every brick you lay when the storms come you will not be shaken.
So much knowledge and truth in the reading today! Lord, I often feel inadequate as a Christian. No matter how much I commit to learning, I still feel like an elementary school student. I hope one day to be able to recite scripture at the right moment to be a blessing to someone else. I hope that my actions towards others reflect Christ, not me.
Wow, Rebecca what a powerful devotional. I am with you and want to “stand on the foundation of the Lord of the Sabbath and stand secure.” Christ thank you for calling “us away from ourselves” to Yourself and making “us like” You.
Amen Angie and Jennifer McElhannon.
I’m praying for you, Abi and your husband, Sarah D and Churchmouse, may the Lord watch over you and be with and help you.
Sitting here, waiting for a back xray. Seems I’m often in a “waiting” mode. How wonderful it is to have technology at my fingertips so that I might read the Word right here. And yet this same technology can be a time waster and it can prevent me from having conversations with those near me. I’m reminded today of how engaged Jesus was with those around Him. Every place He went was an opportunity to fulfill His mission. He separated Himself only for prayer. May I commit to do the same. And so I am putting my phone away as I wait.
A season of waiting can bring so much goodness- beauty in every situation!
We can all relate to the challenges of technology. Put on some worship music and meditate to scripture! I encourage you to focus on yourself and the Lord and that you would feel contentment and the ability to disconnect ❤️
What a wonderful reading from Luke today! One thing that really stuck with me was the solid foundation that we need to build up in Christ. If what we are building upon isn’t sturdy, then all we will do is crumble beneath it all and continually have to start over. In lieu of repairing shoddy foundations, we need to stand firm and create a foundation with Christ at the center of it all.
I know many of times in my past where I have rededicated my life, relented of all of my sin and handed it over to Jesus once more. Yet we are imperfect beings. We are born with sin within us and it’s only through Christ that we can be cleansed of it. As we repent, we must focus on our foundation in Christ. Build it with the sturdiest materials out there. Waste no resources on it. For if we don’t, we will just continue to crumble.
I needed this reminder this morning. Jesus is the solid rock in my life who I know I can always talk to and lean on no matter what. I’m done repairing my foundations. I’m ready to invest everything into it and for it to stand firm no matter what.
Lord call me away from myself and draw me closer to you. If you’re not in it, I don’t want it. This winter break came to reality that the major I’m in might not be what I want to focus on (majoring in Zoo &Wildlife Biology, but I think I want to be more in the marine biology side of things). So with my family’s help, I’ve been looking up a bunch of colleges that offer it. Just really stressful to think about transferring, and in general figuring out what I (and really what God) wants me to do with my life. Any prayers are appreciated!! Love you all, so thankful for SRT!
Praying for you Sarah
Yesterday at church, we talked about using Jesus as the example speak truth to one another no matter the cost. Now when I read passages in the Bible, I see that Jesus speaks the truth, no matter how blunt or how unsettling it might be. To understand the old self is key to understanding the new self, and walking as Jesus did amongst one another.
There is much about faith found in Luke 6. The word may not appear often, but it is frequently demonstrated. Not the “Yes, that seems easy, I’ll accept it” kind of faith, but faith that goes contrary to the social norms, our cultural expectations and our own selfish desires.
Lord, stretch my faith, my thinking, my actions and reactions, completely trusting You to help me follow the example of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
This chapter is so full of wonderful life guidance.
Excellent explanation. Blessings!
So much hope found in today’s reading. So much hope found in the Gospel. So much hope found in Jesus. Thank you God for the grace and hope you pour out over us.
Bless those who persecute you…words I needed to read today. Great reminders in this passage! I’m so thankful for a Father who chooses the weak and lowly!
“Christ calls us away from ourselves to Himself, and in so doing, makes us like Himself.“
I am constantly in awe of God. He is so clearly teaching me to come away from myself and focus on Him. To humble myself (not to think less of myself, but to think more of Him) and seek to be close to Him, just to be close to Him. No agenda, just to be close to Him.
My heart longs to be like Him and let go of everything else.
Love to you, dear sisters, as we start a new week. I’m praying for all of you teachers as you head back to school. Mari, you are a teacher! You teach the precious little children and you teach me!
Churchmouse, I pray that your back pain will ease.
The Beatitudes came right after in time to when the WHOLE crowd was trying to touch Him! All of these people are around Him touching Him and being healed and He begins the Beatitudes.
If we focus on the rules and the Sabbath, we miss the LORD of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a shadow of the rest that Jesus offered. I can let go of the weak shadow of the Sabbath day and cling to Christ as my rest
It’s simply the reference scripture that Jesus was talking about back in Luke 6. About David eating the bread of the presence with his men. Hope you have a wonderful day Amelia Rose!
I am thankful that God calls us out of ourselves to be more like him.
I am grateful this morning that the Lord takes us as we are and challenges us and refines us to look more like Him. My husband and I are wrestling with difficulties with our church leadership and we have been feeling resentful, frustrated and our hearts are heavy. I know that God hears us but I know that some of our thoughts are sinful. Pray for us to change.
This church is where the Lord has called us for now, my husband works for the church and although he is being lead to apply for another job we are not moving immediately. Please pray for our hearts, our motivations and that we would be led by God to know what is the best thing for us, our church and the church my husband is applying to.
Praying for you and your husband, Abi. Know that you’re in God’s hands and that good or bad things in your life
I’m praying for you and your husband. Know that even the bad things in your life can refine you, helping you to shine more for Jesus. May God purify you as you confess your
I’m praying for you and your husband. May you be refined through fire, coming out stronger and closer to God than before.
I’m grateful that Jesus came to teach the Kingdom and not a law! I’m grateful that every action He took was a teaching, a sermon, a lesson! Going through this day by day is so refreshing! So refreshing! The best start to my days!
So much in today’s reading.
I started typing it out and realized, I need to take, a little at a time, and let God saturate my soul with each truth in smaller bites throughout my day. There is so much calling out to me this morning.
I’m thankful that just as Amelia Rose read and asked questions, the Word reaches out to each of us, helping us to understand and follow God’s plan for our lives. How blessed we are to have a Father who loves us, a Son who died for us, the gift of the written Word to learn from, and the Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts and minds and lead us.
Good morning, ladies. Amelia Rose, the scripture from 1st Samuel is just referring back to the time that David and his men technically broke Sabbath rules. It just shows the reference that Jesus was making when he was speaking to the Pharisees and the scripture that we were reading in Luke–at least that’s what I understand of the connection of those two excerpts of scripture.
Reading again through the message of this devotion, I am a bit confused about the meaning or significance of 1 Samuel 21:1–6… I would really appreciate any insight or explanations! Thank you.
The religious leaders at the time of Christ had taken the rules to the extreme. They were definitely legalists. So when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, they were aghast because no one was supposed to work. It’s true that God directed the people to rest, but that didn’t mean that they were supposed to turn a blind eye to someone suffering. They didn’t have to kiss an opportunity to do good so they could stay at home in the Lazy Boy.
So Jesus mentions David’s example as further proof. The bread mentioned here was a sacrifice to the Lord and designated for the priests to eat. David and his men came through and were hungry. I imagine this is the first time they’ve eaten in a while and not just, “it’s time for my third meal of the day, so let’s raid the temple.” Instead of letting David go hungry, the priest allowed the sacrifice of bread to go to good use in feeding David. It goes back, I think, to the spirit of the law. If we get so concerned with rules, regulations, and the Sabbath, we may miss the Lord of the Sabbath. All these things are supposed to point to Christ and not to an unattainable list of perfection.
Very well put!
I had the same question while reading so thank you for asking Amelia!
It’s the scripture that was referenced by Jesus at the beginning of Luke 6 in verses 3-4.