Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath
(#23) Lessons from Luke 6:1-5
**Hey Salt & Light Daily Readers**
Join me in warmly welcoming Kyle Morrow, our guest writer for this weeks’ edition of The Salt & Light Daily. Kyle is a Pastor and Substack Writer who resides in Alabama. Kyle has a passion for theological education, pastoral ministry, and spirit-led ministry opportunities.
We are excited for him to share his thoughts on the next section in the Book of Luke.
Devotional: Luke 6:1-6
Opening Reflection
Dear Readers,
Imagine finding yourself under scrutiny for something as small as grabbing a snack on a strict day of religious rest. People around you are convinced you’re violating God’s law. Tension rises. In Luke 6, the Pharisees watch Jesus and His disciples with accusatory eyes. But in this moment of conflict, Jesus reveals something profound: He is more than a teacher or prophet—He is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5), sovereign over creation, over our time, and even over our most cherished traditions.
Let's quickly revisit the events in Luke 6. First, Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath, and his hungry followers begin to pluck and eat grain. The Pharisees immediately accuse them of breaking the Sabbath law against "work." Later, Jesus enters the synagogue on another Sabbath and finds a man with a withered hand. Knowing the Pharisees are watching, eager to accuse him, Jesus heals the man in the synagogue, again challenging their strict Sabbath interpretations.
Through these Sabbath encounters, Jesus isn't just breaking rules, he's establishing a new understanding of authority – his own Sovereign Lordship over even the most sacred traditions.
Jesus is Lord
In 1st-century Israel, the Sabbath was a clear marker of covenant identity. By claiming “lordship” over the Sabbath, Jesus asserts Christ's authority. He shows that the rules of religion bow to Him, not the other way around. This is the same Jesus described in John 1:3—“All things were made through Him”—and in Colossians 1:16, which declares that everything is created by and for Him. Luke 6:1–6 underscores that the One who set the Sabbath in place has the right to define its purpose.
Attribute of God: Sovereignty
In this account, Jesus’ Sovereignty shines through. His word supersedes human tradition. His authority sets the proper interpretation of God’s law. While the Pharisees fixate on the external rule—no “work” on the Sabbath—Jesus unveils God’s heart: the Sabbath was meant as a gift, not a burden. He cares more about the withered man’s restoration than about guarding man-made boundaries. That is the power of Sovereign power: Christ stands above all human systems, exercising perfect wisdom and compassion.
I remember vividly the pressure I felt pastoring my first church at just 27 years old. It felt like trying to drink from a fire hydrant – needing to preach perfect sermons, increase attendance every week, constantly prove my youth wasn't a disadvantage. The pressure to perform and gain approval was immense. In that season, God spoke gently, "Rest in my Sovereignty. I sent you there to speak for me, not to be me." Sovereignty means we can rest, even in chaos, because He orchestrates our days. In Luke 6, Jesus’ calm authority invites us to lean on Him, instead of a treadmill of religious “musts.”
It’s short but sweeping in scope. If the Sabbath is central to religious life, and Jesus is its Lord, then He has sovereignty over our time, our rest, and our worship. This statement was radical in its day and still challenges us now to acknowledge Christ’s rule over every corner of our lives.
Encountering Sovereignty in Everyday Life
Rest Under His Authority: Knowing He rules over all means we don’t have to micromanage our lives out of fear or anxiety. If God set aside a day for rest and reflection, how can we embrace that space to worship Him more wholeheartedly—rather than as a list of do’s and don’ts?
Mercy Above Tradition: Jesus’ sovereign choice in Luke 6 is to heal and bring relief. Are there ways we cling to personal rules or rituals, missing the chance to show kindness or alleviate someone’s pain?
Confidence in His Care: If Jesus can override tradition to care for a single man’s need, imagine how He cares for you in your struggles. Perhaps you need healing—whether physical, emotional, or relational. Our sovereign Lord invites us to seek Him boldly.
Trust Over Worry: The Pharisees worried about protecting ritual purity, but Jesus was more concerned about people’s hearts. His sovereignty extends over your career, finances, and relationships. “Therefore do not be anxious,” (Matthew 6:31–34) applies here—He holds the Sabbath and every other day in His hands.
Reflection & Questions
Sovereignty Realized: In what areas of life do you struggle to acknowledge Christ’s lordship?
Tradition vs. Mercy: Have you ever let rules overshadow compassion? How might you shift to match Jesus’ heart?
Practicing Rest: How can you carve out genuine rest (physically and spiritually) in light of His rule?
“If we see the Son of Man as Lord of the Sabbath, then we can fully surrender our worries, trusting that He has authority to provide, heal, and redeem—even on the days we set apart for Him.”
Closing Thought
Like the man with the withered hand, we all have areas that need Jesus’ touch. Recognizing His sovereignty—over our schedules, religious habits, and deepest needs—frees us to receive His compassionate work in our lives. When we rest under His rule, we discover the Sabbath’s true gift: a gracious God, giving us rest in His faithful arms.
Guest Writer: Kyle Morrow & family pictured below.
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Good work Kyle. It seems that Jesus was trying to get the message across to the religious leaders what the intention of His work and message. The religious leaders seemed to be spiritually blinded and focused on rules rather than a relationship.
Resting in Sovereignty Rather than Performance
I agree with your article.
The pressure to perform and gain approval in ministry is a common struggle, yet Scripture consistently redirects our focus to God's sufficiency rather than our efforts.
Jesus invites us to rest in His work rather than striving for religious perfection: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30). We lean on Christ rather than exhausting ourselves with religious' musts.'
Additionally, Psalm 127:1 warns, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." This directly addresses trusting in God's orchestration rather than personal ambition. God's sovereignty assures us that our role is to be faithful, not flawless. In a sense, we are flawless because we are "in Christ." The salvation we are to work out is the learning by the Holy Spirit's mentorship to express His fruit, not our own. We are to be Holy as God is Holy. We express His holiness, not our self-righteous counterfeit of God's holiness. For me, that takes the pressure off me having to perform. I rest in what Jesus said as well. Take my Yoke...my burden is light...I will give you rest. To me, that is God's idea of "Sabbath".