Lawful to Do Good or Evil on Sabbath Days - Luke 6:9

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth”, and in chapter six and verse nine of his book Luke shares how Jesus asks the religious leaders, “is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil?” where we read:

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing;

Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

The verse reads, “Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing;” Luke began with the words, “Then said Jesus unto them” or “therefore, accordingly, consequently and these things being so uttered, declared and proclaimed the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate to the Pharisees”, “I will ask you one thing” which means “I, Jesus, will address you Pharisees with one single inquiry and question”. Luke shared how Jesus told the “Pharisees” He would inquire of them with one single question.

The verse goes on to say, “Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?” Luke continued with Jesus' words, “Is it lawful” which means “is it right and just according to the law” “on the sabbath days” or “upon the seventh days of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work” “to do good” which means “to perform and produce that which is favorable, of profit and benefit”, “or to do evil” or “or to perform and produce harm and wrong”? “to save life” which means “to preserve, keep safe and rescue the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing”, “or to destroy it” which means “or to abolish, kill, render useless, lose and mar the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing”. Luke shared how Jesus questioned the “Pharisees” as to whether they thought it was “right according to the law” to do “good” or “evil” on the “Sabbath days” or to “save” or “ruin” the living upon the “Sabbath days”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus asked the “Pharisees” a question which was difficult to answer. Jesus wanted them to see that “good” was to be done on “Sabbath days”, and although the “Pharisees” would consider Jesus healing the man with the withered hand as “work”, the idea of doing “good” to people was the spirit of keeping the law of “rest” upon the “Sabbath”. God loves people, and His desire is to do “good” to and “save” everyone when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus for “forgiveness” of their sins. Those who are wise will yield their lives to Him and allow Him to perform the greatest “good” they shall every know.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".