Daily Word - Remember The Sabbath - Luke 6:1-5

Scripture:
Luke 6:1-5 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
Luke 6
1(A) On a Sabbath,[a] while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples(B) plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2But some of the Pharisees said,(C) "Why are you doing(D) what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?" 3And Jesus answered them, (E) "Have you not read(F) what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and took and ate(G) the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?" 5And he said to them, (H) "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
Footnotes:
Luke 6:1 Some manuscripts On the second first Sabbath (that is, on the second Sabbath after the first)
Cross references:
Luke 6:1 : For Luke 6:1-5, Matt 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1 : Deut 23:25
Luke 6:2 : Matt 9:11
Luke 6:2 : Exodus 20:9-11
Luke 6:3 : Matt 21:16
Luke 6:3 : 1 Sam 21:1-6
Luke 6:4 : Exodus 25:30; Lev 24:5-9
Luke 6:5 : Luke 5:24

Reflection:
What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom: In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple. Jesus also quoted of the Sabbath work involved in worship in the Temple. This kind of work was usually double the work of worship on weekdays. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord, may I honor you in my work and in my rest and treat my neighbor with respect and kindness. Keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may seek the good of my neighbor in all situations.