Sunday School Lesson for September 10, 2023 - Jesus Silences Critics: Printed Text: Luke 14:1-6 NLT, Background Scripture: Luke 14:1-6 NLT, Devotional Reading: Hebrews 4:1-10

 

Unit 1: Love Completes, Law Falls Short

Key Verse:

Luke 14:3-4 NLT

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.

When I have been silent in the face of injustice, Lord forgive me. 

Prelude:

Isaiah 56:1-2 NLT

  1

 This is what the Lord says:

“Be just and fair to all.
    Do what is right and good,
for I am coming soon to rescue you
    and to display my righteousness among you.

2 

Blessed are all those
    who are careful to do this.
Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest
    and keep themselves from doing wrong.

God gifted Israel with the Law and the Prophets. The Law was given to set apart a people who would be holy before God. The prophets were given to reflect the heart of God to His people. God cannot be put into a box. Those who adhered to the letter sought to do just that. It was the prophets, led by the Spirit of God, who revealed the character of God. It was the prophet Isaiah (above) revealing what God cares about, so that we could learn to care about the same.

2 Corinthians 3:15-17 NLT

15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The Lesson

 

Luke 14:1 NLT

1 One Sabbath day, Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely.

At this point in His earthly ministry, even though Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees had become adversarial, He still accepted invitations to dine and debate with them, possibly hoping to break through to some of them with the truth of the Gospel. After all, they represented the religious leadership of God’s chosen people. Unfortunately, the intentions of His hosts were not so pure. Note to self: The Sabbath is not only a day of rest, but also a day for acting out of a pure heart.

Luke 14:2 NLT

2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.

This is how we know that the Pharisees weren’t sincere. There was a man there with dropsy, a condition that affected the limbs in such a way that they were rendered swollen and sometimes useless. Surely, this was a setup. Under ordinary circumstances, the Pharisees would never have allowed the afflicted man in their midst, especially on the Sabbath. To do so would render them unclean. His very presence demonstrated their true disregard for the Law of Moses. Their actions betrayed them. The darkness of their hearts was clearly evident.

Luke 14:3 NLT

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 

Jesus immediately read the room. He understood the situation in its entirety. The Pharisees were, once again, trying to trap Him. Jesus had healed the sick on the Sabbath before. After all, He had come to bring the children of Abraham into their divine inheritance, an inheritance that included freedom from oppression. If ever there were a day to be set free, would that have not been on the Sabbath, the day designated for Israel to enter into God’s Rest. why wouldn’t that include a respite from torment?

Luke 14:4 NLT

4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.

Interestingly, what happened next reveals much about what is really happening this evening. The Bible says that Jesus healed the afflicted man and sent him away. Why is this unusual? Because ordinarily, in an environment where there was little expectation for healing, Jesus couldn’t heal. However, that is not the case on this day. It appears that the Pharisees fully expected Jesus to heal the afflicted man. They were counting on it. Otherwise, how would they be able to bring their plan to trap Him to fruition? Incredible.

Luke 14:5 NLT

5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?”

The Pharisees refused to answer Jesus’ first concerning healing on the Sabbath. Though, the law did not expressly forbid healing, the Pharisees knew that to answer to answer either way would expose their hypocrisy. Jesus gives them an easier hypothetical the next time. Would it be proper to rescue a beast of burden, the lively hood of any given household? What about a child? Was it acceptable to rescue a child on the Sabbath? Clearly the correct answer was ‘yes’. The law did provide for the rescue of livestock or people on the Sabbath in the event of an emergency. This presented a dilemma for the Pharisees. To agree with Christ on the ‘letter’ of the Law of Moses would clearly suggest that Jesus was correct to heal on the Sabbath. In essence, they would have to admit that the Spirit of the Law was in express agreement with the letter of the law. Healing on the Sabbath made perfect sense. What were the Pharisees to do?

Luke 14:6 NLT

6 Again they could not answer.

Their lack of response spoke volumes. They were held prisoner by their own piousness. If they did not answer the first time, they could not answer the second. The vacuousness of their self righteousnee was fully exposed by their silence. They could not answer. They were rendered … powerless. Pay attention. The Pharisees were revealed to be powerless because they could not acknowledge the truth.

Do we, as Christians, render ourselves powerless when we cannot respond to the truth in love? Sounds like it. When we cannot respond to injustice with truth, in love, we render ourselves powerless. Our self-righteousness is as filthy rags. Beloved, there is work to do in these last days outside of the confines of the church building. When we are silent in the face of inequity, we are complicit in the injustices committed against the poor, the immigrants, the orphans, and the homeless. Beloved, real love speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. Love takes sides. Beloved, take a side. Let love guide you into the harvest.

Selah,

wb

Luke 4: 16-21 NLT

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,

19 

    and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.[f]”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Micah 6:8 NKJV

8 

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love [d]mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?

Deuteronomy 27:19 NLT

19 ‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’

And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

Jeremiah 22:3 NLT

3 This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!

Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT

8 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;

    ensure justice for those being crushed.

9 

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,

    and see that they get justice.

Sunday School Lesson for September 3, 2023 - Jesus Confronts Hypocrisy: Printed Text: Luke 11:37-44 NLT, Background Scripture: Luke 11:37-44 NLT, Devotional Reading: 1 Samuel15:19-23 NLT

 

Unit 1: Love Completes, Law Falls Short

Key Verse:

Luke 11:39 NLT

39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!

I don’t know about you, but my heart is desperately wicked. Thank God for His merciful Grace, exemplified in His loving Son, Jesus.

Prelude:

Leviticus 23:23-25 NASB

23 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the [a]seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a [b]rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’”

Thus, in these few words to Moses, the Lord instituted Rosh Hashana, recognized by Israel as the Jewish New Year. Every year, I share my appreciation that the Sunday School Commentary aligns with this ancient Jewish celebration in that the new lessons for the year begin in the Fall, right around the time of Rosh Hashana. It is to be a time of reflection, remembrance, and reflection. As it turns out, this first lesson of the 2023 / 2024 session should produce the contrition God seeks from us, His children. Enjoy the Lesson.

Psalm 51:1-2 NASB

1 

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;

According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.

2 

Wash me thoroughly from my guilt

And cleanse me from my sin.

The Lesson

 

Luke 11:37 NASB

37 Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in and reclined at the table.

There are a couple of notable details in this first verse. First, the invitation. Prior interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees had become increasingly adversarial, especially in regard to the Pharisees based in Jerusalem. But Jesus readily accepted their invitation. Any opportunity to share the good news with others was His primary mission focus. Additionally, It was not uncommon for Jesus to accept the invitations of religious leaders (Mark 4, Luke 7). However, Jesus maintained a more amenable relationship with the leaders in Galilee and northern Israel, away from the center of religious authority (Jerusalem). The second point of interest in this verse is the fact that Jesus ‘reclined’ at the table. It was common for the Jews to recline o the floor at a very low table. Sitting in a chair is the wrong way to think about it. It is more accurate to understand that they reclined at shared meals (the Last Supper). It will make a difference in a minute.

Luke 11:38 NASB

38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was surprised that Jesus had not first [a]ceremonially washed before the [b]meal. 

We can infer that if Jesua had reclined, His feet had already been washed. However, the Pharisees required additional washing. They washed their hands before meals, after meals, as well as numerous other occasions. Additionally, they recited a specific prayer during the hand-washing ritual. Doesn’t that sound good? I mean, what’s the harm in praying while washing my hands? In fact, it sounded so good to me that I was immediately brought under conviction because I could not immediately understand Jesus’ immediate consternation with His host. Let’s continue.

Luke 11:39 NASB

39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish; but your inside is full of greed and wickedness.

Jesus goes off. The food smells wonderful. He’s looking forward to a good meal and challenging, engaging conversation, but the Pharisee’s reaction to His failure to wash His hands ruins the moment. Sadly, it does not appear that the Pharisee’s reaction was planned but, rather, reflexive. So steeped was he (the host) in his religious practices that he did not recognize his ignorance nor his error. But Jesus quickly and correctly identifies the problem: the self-righteousness and sanctimoniousness of the Pharisees, particularly those headquartered in Jerusalem (this meeting probably happened in or near Bethany, a couple of miles southeast of Bethany. Jesus has just kinda had it with these folk. They were so self-centered that the mission of Heaven (Peace on Earth) was completely lost on them. It was always all about…them. To the detriment of everyone else. Jesus correctly identified the true content of their hearts (and mine’s).

Luke 11:40 NASB

40 You foolish ones, did He who made the outside not make the inside also?

Jesus continues to reprimand His host(s). What they thought made them holy really revealed their foolishness. Did they not understand that they were entirely transparent before God? Did they not think that could see right through their extra-biblical religious traditions? In fact, the hand-washing ritual actually revealed the hardness of their hearts to even the casual observer not blinded by their religious gaslighting.

Luke 11:41 NASB

41 But give that which is within as a charitable gift, and [c]then all things are clean for you.

God finds no pleasure in the sacrifice of bulls ad goats, or in any number of religious traditions the Pharisees had institued. Instead, God judges the heart and finds pleasure in a humble and contrite spirit. I am a little OCD, but I do not mistake my obsessions as something that pleases God. Istead, I recognize that I am prone to religion and must take care to to mistake my religiosity for righteousness. It’s not that easy. As demonstrated by Jesus’ host, religion can be reflexive and…addictive. I hope this speaks to some of you. In the spirit of the Rosh Hashana, pause for a moment of self reflection. A better indicator of my righteousness before God would be my propensity for giving, would it not? Jesus thought so.

Selah.

Luke 11:42 NASB

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every kind of garden herb, and yet you [d]ignore justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Jesus continues. In another of their ‘traditions’ the Pharisees took great pains to tithe on garden herbs that grew so profusely that they could  not be accurately measured. In essence, they were straining gnats within their traditions while ignoring what mattered most to God: people. Beloved, a good part of the present day Church wants to ignore the issues of social justice in the earth today. Yet, Jesus correctly states that social justice is near to the heart of God and must the Old not be ignored. Both the Law and Old Testament Prophets made it clear that at the head of God’s agenda in the earth was His concern for the widow, the orphan and the immigrant; all examples of those regarded as least in our communities. Beloved. As the Church, are we doing all that we can on behalf of the dispossed? Another point to ponder in a moment of self reflection.

Selah.

Luke 11:43 NASB

43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the seat of honor in the synagogues and personal greetings in the marketplaces.

Jesus begins His closing statement by, again, revealing the sin-stained hearts of the Pharisees: their desire for self-aggrandizement. They love recognition. Their pride obscures their understanding of who God really is and what He really wants to do in their lives. Except for Jesus, every other man born of a woman has needed a Savior. The Pharisees were hopelessly blind and corrupt, bound by their commitment to their religious traditions rather than being committed to God. Jesus is the Messiah. They missed it. They missed it because they were trapped in their misunderstanding of the Law of Moses. 

Luke 11:44 NASB

44 Woe to you! For you are like [e]unseen tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.”

This is the third ‘woe’ in this passage that Jesus has pronounced upon His adversaries. And perhaps, this one is the most damning. What Jesus is accusing them of is misleading others with their traditions in such a way that those who follow them are at risk of losing their salvation. Beloved, all of the children of Abraham were heirs to the promise of God (Jesus). Additionally, that same promise is available to all who would accept it by faith, whether they be Jew or Gentile. Do we deny this precious gift to others through our religious traditions that push people away from our congregations because of what we perceive that we are, and they are not?  Jesus made it clear that our actions along these lines could do eternal harm. Woe to those of us who fail to recognize that our godly selfishness and pride will have negative, eternal consequences. May God have mercy on our souls.

Selah

wb

Psalm 51:10-12 NASB

10 

Create [i]in me a clean heart, God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

13 

Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,

And sinners will [j]be converted to You.

James 1:27 NASB

27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained [aa]by the world.

Micah 6:8 NASB

8 

He has told you, mortal one, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love [d]kindness,

And to walk [e]humbly with your God?

Psalm 82:1-4 NASB

1 

God takes His position in [a]His assembly;

He judges in the midst of the gods.

2 

How long will you judge unjustly

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 

Vindicate the weak and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

4 

Rescue the weak and needy;

Save them from the hand of the wicked.

Epilogue: On a personal note, I took some time away from this space. I found it difficult to return. Thanks to a few friends who took note and reached out, encouraging me to return to this space. You know who you are. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Blessing,

wb