Today’s devotion covers Luke 6:1-5.
“1 Now it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain.
2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
3 And Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,
4 how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”
5 And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:1-5.
This Scripture continues the theme of the two prior Scriptures.
The practices of the Pharisees can be compared to the old. The practices of the disciples of Jesus can be compared to the new.
The practices of the disciples of the Pharisees can be summarized as legalism: “What can we do to achieve righteousness and salvation?”. The practices of the disciples of Jesus can be summarized as “living by the Spirit”: “What has God done to give us righteousness and salvation?”.
Today, we see a specific example of legalism and a specific reason why we can live by the Spirit.
The specific example of legalism is the teaching of the Pharisees that the action of the disciples of Jesus, picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain, was a violation of the fourth commandment (“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11).
The specific reason why we can live by the Spirit is that “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” In other words, Jesus is a higher standard and authority than the Sabbath, any other commandment, and the Law. “… He is the head over all rule and authority;” Colossians 2:10. (Emphasis added.)
“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day–things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Colossians 2:16-17. “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)–in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” Colossians 2:20-23.
When we live by legalism, or by even the Law even in its simple and pure form of the Ten Commandments, we will find that the sin within us “… taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind …” Romans 7:8. “for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.” Romans 7:11.
However, when we follow Jesus and live by the Spirit, we will do what is right. We will find that fruit is produced of “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
So, what is the purpose of the Law if it cannot make us righteous and cannot give us life? The purpose of the Law is to “… shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22. “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:24-26.
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17.
In Christ, we have “the summing up of all things”. Ephesians 1:10. “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16.
“… “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 