These questions are connected to the message, “The Polarizing Love of Jesus” from Aug. 1, 2021. You can watch it here.
Dive In: This story is such a JOLTING picture of how polarizing Jesus was!
Read or listen to this passage (Luke 6:1-11) in an unfamiliar translation of the Bible (e.g. New Living Translation or The Message). What did this passage teach you about what God is like?
Read or listen to this passage (Luke 6:1-11) in an unfamiliar translation of the Bible (e.g. New Living Translation or The Message). What did this passage teach you about what God is like?
Reflect:
- What piqued your curiosity, challenged you, JOLTED you, encouraged you, or motivated you from the sermon?
- Do you have any experience in a faith community characterized by strict adherence to rules (legalism)? Discuss the impact this had on you for better or worse.
- For those familiar with the stories of Jesus, have you ever identified yourself with the Pharisees when reading those stories? If you stop and consider it — the Pharisees’ concerns and fears — can you identify with them in any way?
- Discuss: Jesus’ way was radical even, and especially, for religious people. What are some ways that Jesus pushes you out of your comfort zones, either of practice or belief?
- For Jesus, rules are tools not masters. How comfortable are you with that? Do you find the idea of ‘freedom’ and ‘discernment’ liberating or unnerving?
- For the courageous: Paul says “these three remain: faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13). What does this tell you about love? Discuss this in the context of today’s passage (Remember: the Pharisees had faith).
Act on it:
The Jews had built a ‘fortress of rules’ to keep them safe — it prevented them from seeing the wonder of transformation before their eyes. This week, ask the Holy Spirit if you have a fortress that keeps you from seeing Jesus at work in the world.
The Jews had built a ‘fortress of rules’ to keep them safe — it prevented them from seeing the wonder of transformation before their eyes. This week, ask the Holy Spirit if you have a fortress that keeps you from seeing Jesus at work in the world.
For the Geeks: Old Testament Connections:
Jesus compared his situation to that of David’s in 1 Samuel 21:1-16. Diving deeper, besides the obvious connection of human need trumping regulations, Jesus is also alluding to something greater (but for Luke’s Gentile audience it would not likely have impacted them). He is comparing himself to David. It was thought that David was on a special mission from God thereby rendering what he was allowed to do (eating the consecrated bread) excusable. Jesus is comparing himself to David and this would not have been lost on the Pharisees and been completely unacceptable.
Jesus compared his situation to that of David’s in 1 Samuel 21:1-16. Diving deeper, besides the obvious connection of human need trumping regulations, Jesus is also alluding to something greater (but for Luke’s Gentile audience it would not likely have impacted them). He is comparing himself to David. It was thought that David was on a special mission from God thereby rendering what he was allowed to do (eating the consecrated bread) excusable. Jesus is comparing himself to David and this would not have been lost on the Pharisees and been completely unacceptable.