Here’s a timely truth about Jesus Christ. He is Lord of the Sabbath. We’re not Jews; we’re Christians. Jews celebrate Sabbath on Saturday, the last day of the week. Christians celebrate the first day of the week, Sunday. Jesus is still Lord.
Luke 6: 1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
This was early in Jesus’ earthly ministry. He and the disciples traveled from town to town. Here it is the Sabbath day. No doubt they were on their way to the synagogue to worship and honor his Father and so he could teach the Word. Jesus worked for God on every day there was a need making the impossible possible, especially on the Sabbath. This would be a big grievance for the Jews. He chose to do the Lord’s work on the Sabbath? How hypocritical of the Jews! Jesus reminded them he was Lord of the Sabbath.
As they were going to the synagogue everyone was hungry. They went through a field of grain. I don’t know what kind of corn it was but it sounds like a similar process that we’re used to doing. The custom of the Jews was no work was to be done on the Sabbath. It was a commandment. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. It was introduced as holy from the beginning. One the 7th day of creation God rested. It was a day of worship that belonged to God. When Cain and Abel brought their offerings it would have been on the Sabbath. They knew the Lord’s Day was time to worship and give an offering to God.
When people quit treating Sunday as the Lord’s Day, it started a turn from God. It used to be all stores were closed. First one and then the other opened and now it’s just like any other day. We took it from God and made it man’s day. It belongs to God. Whether Saturday for Jews or Sunday for Christians we need to start the week in God’s house. When Jesus died and was buried he came out of the tomb on the first day and the beginning of our hope. This is the Lord’s Day.
Jesus and the disciples didn’t pick up a basket to pick corn. They were hungry and God provided. Whether they asked for permission or Jesus just told them to get enough to eat, that’s what they did—they just got enough to eat. We’ll starve to death if we do without on the Lord’s Day. Bring him the offering of your love and give yourself. You will be able to face whatever is ahead the next week. He leads us through the cornfield of blessings and tells us to pick as much as we need. The Lord led them to a breakfast that stuck with them. All we need to do is reach out and get it. Take the feeding of the Lord and eat. Receive the engrafted word. He’s still Lord of the Sabbath. If society in general treats it like any other day, so be it. I want to stick with Jesus.
The Pharisees got upset and said Jesus and his disciples were working; they were trying to find fault with Jesus. Jesus reminded them of the time that David was running from Saul. He and his men were fleeing for their lives, hungry and went into the tabernacle. The only thing to eat was the showbread, the food for the priests. God allowed it to be given to David and his men to keep them alive. He then said the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. David and his men had nothing to offer. What the Lord wants is our heart—us—offered to him. God can take what is offered to him and feed our souls. Jesus said for us to pray give us this day our daily bread. When the Lord’s Day comes, let’s exalt him as Lord; you won’t come out losing. It will satisfy your soul.
The devil offers anything to get us to deny that Jesus is Lord. It doesn’t matter what it is, the provisions of Jesus are better. In 2016 Jesus is still Lord of the Sabbath. It still pays to come to church and give yourself to God. You cannot out-give God.
They went to the synagogue full. We should come in full of God’s blessings. In our fullness, acknowledge what God has done and worship him. Shame on us if we come in empty. Eat during the week and come in full on Sunday. Recommit to God. Worship him in spirit and truth. Malachi tells us that he’ll pour out a blessing so big we can’t receive it. No matter what others do, Jesus is still Lord of the Sabbath. Come with fullness and arms outstretched to give to God. Come with the mindset to give to God. When we do that, God turns it around and feeds us enabling us to face the coming days. If we’ll honor the Sabbath, he’ll help us through the other days.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 