The One Year New Testament

May 30

Luke 6:1-16

Luke 6:1-16

On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Reflection

In the Old Testament, God had specifically instructed his people to rest on the Sabbath day (Ex. 20:8–11). Yet human nature has a tendency to miss the heart of God and focus on external behaviors rather than the internal motives of the heart. These two Sabbath-conflict stories show this human tendency and warn us against this gospel-less way of living.

Jesus shows us that Christian living requires compassion toward those in need, because this is God’s heart as well. This is the true gospel life: living not merely according to rules but in faithful obedience to God’s gracious purposes revealed throughout the Bible.

Ephesians 4:7-16

Ephesians 4:7-16

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Reflection

God has given the church gifted teachers and leaders (Eph. 4:11) in order to bring the church to maturity. This maturity is described in a variety of ways: as the fullness of Christ (v. 13), as doctrinal stability (v. 14), as growing up into Christ (v. 15), and as strengthening the body (v. 16). Paul sees it as a “family project.” Our personal growth is helped by the example of other Christians, our times of worship, and accountability to other believers. The good news of the gospel is not only that Christ has saved us, but that we are being continually renewed into his image (v. 24; cf. Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4).

Psalm 73:1

Psalm 73:1

Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

Thoughts For Prayer

The command to keep the Sabbath was very important in Israel, but the Pharisees had missed the point (Luke 6:1–11). Likewise, there are many important Christian responsibilities, but we must be careful to remember that God is not pleased with heartless obedience. Ask God to help you obey from a heart that is full of faith in him and love for others.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • April 9, 2021

    Supported Workers: Emily (& Blake) Ackerson

    Country: United States of America

    This month all the Bridges team leaders will gather for a virtual conference. Pray they would be deeply refreshed and encouraged by the Lord during this time as they lead on their respective campuses and faithfully connect with students during these challenging times. Blake has continued to connect with a former Chinese PhD student who became a believer right before returning home. He has found that it is very hard to follow Jesus in his home country. Pray that God would connect him with other believers there and give him the strength and courage to follow him. Pray that God will allow Blake’s team to build partnering relationships with churches who desire to reach international students with the gospel. Praise God for answering prayer for Emily’s recovery. She is experiencing significant improvement through specialized physical therapy.

    The Gambia (Africa). Population: 2,227,413, Believers: 0.8%. Young people have flocked to Banjul (the capital) and are increasingly subject to Western culture at the expense of their traditional values. Pray that God would raise up a new generation of Christian young people who will lead their peers into a lifestyle of godliness.

    From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010, www.operationworld.org