Sunday Lesson Notes from January 16, 2022
Read Luke 14: 1-6
Where did this story take place?
At the House of a Prominent Pharisee
Who was present and who was absent?
Jesus, the Pharisees, experts in the Law and a man suffering with a medical condition were present. Based on how the Pharisees reacted to Jesus and his eating with “tax collectors and sinners” in other passages, there were most likely no tax collectors, commoners, women or other unclean people present. Non-Jews, or Gentiles, were definitely not present.
What does Jesus say to the Pharisees and what impact did this have in the room?
Jesus asked the Pharisees if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not. He called out the elephant in the room, so the trap backfired on them. The Pharisees must have been shocked that the guy was actually healed.
Jesus was able to point out to the Pharisees that there were exemptions to the rules of the Sabbath and healing people was more important than the rules of the law.
The Pharisees here are not really concerned about the law, they were more concerned about trapping Jesus and when they were confronted they had nothing to say.
What does this show you about the nature of God?
God is merciful and humanity is more important to him. God notices our suffering and cares about us and will provide healing.
One encounter with Jesus changed this man’s life. This man started with an underlying disease that led to swelling, but in an instant he was normal.
After the healing, Jesus did not brag about his abilities. He was very humble and pointed the Pharisees back to their own law and taught them how to really obey and understand it. He gave them a chance to change and to learn about why they were doing what they were doing.
Why did the Pharisees remain silent?
Perhaps they were embarrassed, or did not want to be kicked out of the group for agreeing with Jesus?
Jesus continues to teach the Pharisees later on in the chapter, why?
Jesus wanted them to have a deeper understanding of the law they were supposedly upholding. Jesus wanted them to learn how to really honor the Sabbath and to know the reason behind why they did what they were doing.