Reflecting God "The Law: Letter or Intent?" The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 6 January 2016 – Embrace Holy Living - Luke 6:1-11

Reflecting God "The Law: Letter or Intent?" The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 6 January 2016 – Embrace Holy Living - Luke 6:1-11RG AUDIO 010616

Luke 6:1 One Shabbat, while Yeshua was passing through some wheat fields, his talmidim began plucking the heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands and eating the seeds. 2 Some of the P’rushim said, “Why are you violating Shabbat?” 3 Yeshua answered them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the House of God and took and ate the Bread of the Presence” — which no one is permitted to eat but the cohanim. 5 “The Son of Man,” he concluded, “is Lord of Shabbat.”

6 On another Shabbat, when Yeshua had gone into the synagogue and was teaching, a man was there who had a shriveled hand. 7 The Torah-teachers and P’rushim watched Yeshua carefully to see if he would heal on Shabbat, so that they could accuse him of something. 8 But he knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Come up and stand where we can see you!” He got up and stood there. 9 Then Yeshua said to them, “I ask you now: what is permitted on Shabbat? Doing good or doing evil? Saving life or destroying it?” 10 Then, after looking around at all of them, he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” As he held it out, his hand was restored. 11 But the others were filled with fury and began discussing with each other what they could do to Yeshua.

"The Law: Letter or Intent?" by Author: Gary Shank
When the letter of the law and its intent appear to conflict, we tend to ask that the grace-filled intent be applied to our situation rather than the unyielding letter of the law.
Jesus was not above the law, and yet He rejected the bondage of rigid interpretation assigned by religious leaders. So, when a need became clear on the Sabbath, all eyes were on Jesus. The Pharisees and teachers of the law sought reasons to denounce Him. After all, they had rules. It was their accepted duty to detect and judge infractions. Healing was “work” and therefore banned from Sabbath activities. Judging and tearing others down, however, deserved no such day of rest!
In their zeal, they willingly judged and tore down on the Sabbath, even seeking to destroy Jesus, while professing to guard and uphold the law.
In self-righteous superiority, they totally missed the heart of God revealed in the Son–to seek and save the lost, bind up the brokenhearted, and set prisoners free.
Hymn for Today: "I know not why God’s wondrous grace" by Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901)

1. 

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

  To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

  Redeemed me for His own.

Chorus: But “I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

  Unto Him against that day.”

2. I know not how this saving faith

  To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His word

  Wrought peace within my heart.

Chorus: But “I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

  Unto Him against that day.”

3. I know not how the Spirit moves,

  Convincing men of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

  Creating faith in Him.

Chorus: But “I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

  Unto Him against that day.”

4. I know not what of good or ill

  May be reserved for me,

Of weary ways or golden days,

  Before His face I see.

Chorus: But “I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

  Unto Him against that day.”

5.I know not when my Lord may come,

  At night or noon-day fair,

Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,

  Or “meet Him in the air.”

Chorus: But “I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

  Unto Him against that day.”

Thought for Today:

"Then Yeshua said to them, “I ask you now: what is permitted on Shabbat? Doing good or doing evil? Saving life or destroying it?”" Luke 6:9.

Please pray:

For the followers of Jesus who do not see the need to reach out to people who are differently abled that God will reveal to them this calling to.
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