Luke Chapter
6:1-49
Memory verses
for this week: 2 Tim 3:14 But continue
thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Introduction:
We continue our study of
the book of Luke as we cover chapter 6. In chapter five, we saw the
calling of Simon Peter and the sons of Zebedee, James and John.
Jesus called them from their occupation as fishermen, and told them
they would henceforth be fishers of men. They left all and
followed Jesus. We later saw the leper being healed. Then the
man with the palsy was forgiven of his sins and also healed of his
illness as the Pharisees stood by condemning the Lord. We also saw
the call of Levi as he stood by taking the taxes as a publican.
Whatever our position in this life, whatever our condition, God can
use us to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I. Jesus
and the Sabbath
Luke
6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that
he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears
of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Luke
6:2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that
which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
Many
misunderstand the purpose of the Sabbath Day. While God did rest
after making the world and all things that were made, he was not
tired. The Sabbath was setup for the benefit of man. God knew we
needed a day to set aside to refuel and replenish ourselves, so we
are to work only six days and set aside the other day to rest.
While they were not to work according to the commandment, some
things were allowed to be done on the Sabbath. You could alleviate
human suffering of those that were sick. You could water your
animals on the Sabbath and you could pull an animal out of the ditch
if he fell in on the Sabbath day.
Luke
13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth
not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the
stall, and lead him away to watering?
Luke
14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or
an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on
the sabbath day?
As the disciples
passed through the fields, it says they plucked the ears of corn
(wheat) and did eat. While this may seem wrong to us, it was
lawful for a person to take what they could eat as they went through
a field. However, a person could not take more than he or she
could eat.
Luke
6:3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as
this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which
were with him;
Luke
6:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the
showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not
lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Luke
6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the
sabbath.
The Pharisees
(as always) seek to find fault and condemn the disciples and Jesus
of breaking the law of the Sabbath when they gathered the corn.
Jesus points out how that when David went into the temple, he ate
the showbread which was set aside for the priests only. The Lord
was emphasizing that man is more important in the eyes of God than
any ritual observance. Their argument was based upon a tradition
of the elders. They were very big on traditions, more than
following the commandments of God. Jesus was the Lord of the
Sabbath. He was with God (and was God) when it was instituted to
help man.
Mat
15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?
for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat
15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress
the commandment of God by your tradition?
II. Healing of
the Withered Hand
Luke
6:6 And 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.
Luke
6:7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would
heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against
him.
Luke
6:8 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.
This incident
happened in the synagogue which was of course the place of worship
by the Jews. Jesus was always about doing God’s work, and he was
always seeking those in need to help. He never overlooks one in
distress or in trouble. Psalms 46:1 says he is an ever present
help in the time of trouble.
Psa
46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon
Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble.
The scribes and
Pharisees saw the man also, and Jesus knew their thoughts. Jesus
know what we are thinking, both good and bad. These legalists of
the law would have left this man in his wretched condition than to
have him healed on the Sabbath. Jesus commands the man to rise up
and to stand forth. The man does as he was instructed.
Luke
6:9 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?
Luke
6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man,
Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored
whole as the other.
Luke
6:11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with
another what they might do to Jesus.
Jesus asks them
an important question. “Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do
good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?”
Jesus then heals
the man, and it says he was totally restored. Note that is the way
all things were done by the Lord, totally and wholly, not like those
faith healers of our day. Instead of them rejoicing with what
Christ had accomplished, it says they were filled with madness and
wanted to get rid of Jesus. Just because Jesus had broke their
traditions, they want to have nothing to do with him. Many churches
today are like the Pharisees. They will hold onto a tradition
rather than change, when it has nothing to do with fulfilling the
Lord’s commands.
III. The Twelve
Apostles Chosen
Luke
6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a
mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke
6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of
them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Luke
6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother,
James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luke
6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
called Zelotes,
Luke
6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also
was the traitor.
We see Jesus
going out and praying all night before choosing the apostles. When
we have an important decision, we should always consult the Lord
about it. Jesus goes out among the disciples and names the 12 of
them as apostles. These were the first officers set in the
church. These twelve were actually young men, but most pictures we
see of them show them as much older. Several of the apostles served
the Lord for many years after Christ’s death. Of course, some died
early death’s for the cause of Christ. We should learn from this
that when we are young is the right time to start serving the
Lord. We never know if we will live a few years or a long life.
1
Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
J. Vernon McGee
said this about the twelve disciples chosen as apostles.
As I mentioned
previously, some of the disciples were introduced to our Lord when
He went to Jerusalem. Later, walking by the Sea of Galilee, He
called those men to follow Him. Then they went back to fishing. And
He went by and called them again, at which time, the record tells
us, “they forsook all, and followed him” (Luke 5:11). Now we have
come to the third stage. Out of an unspecified number of disciples,
He chose twelve men to be His apostles.
[i]
Let’s look at
the twelve chosen. First we have Simon the fisherman, whom Jesus
named Peter. He was a rock-like man, one that was built upon
Christ. Of course Christ is the great foundation Rock on whom the
church was built. Andrew, who was Peter’s brother, excelled as a
personal worker. It was he who led Peter to Christ. The sons of
Zebedee, James and John, were also fishermen. They were called the
sons of thunder, suggesting that they may have been energetic young
men. James was the first to be put to death for the gospel’s sake
by Herod. John lived to be over 90 years of age, and suffered much
for Christ in his life. He died a natural death at Ephesus. Philip
and Bartholomew were linked together. Matthew was a tax collector
under the Roman Government with his office in Capernaum. Thomas is
remembered as the one who doubted. He had to see the nail prints
in Christ’s hands to believe the resurrection. James, the son of
Alphaeus, is one that little is mentioned. He and his brother Judas
(not Iscariot) were cousins of Christ after the flesh. Simon
Zelotes, the Canaanite, was formerly a member of a secret order that
had its object to overthrow the Roman Government with the intention
of delivering the Jews from the Romans. He turned from that
mission to follow Jesus Christ. The last mentioned is Judas
Iscariot who was the traitor. He had his purpose, but it was a bad
one. Jesus said that it had been better if this man was never born.
Luke
6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the
company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all
Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon,
which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
Luke
6:18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were
healed.
Luke
6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went
virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Jesus and the
apostles come down and many people came from Judaea and Jerusalem to
be healed. Whatever their problem, be it sickness or being vexed
of unclean spirits, Jesus healed them. If they could but touch
Christ, the virtue would go out of him and heal them. What power
Jesus possessed.
IV. The
Beatitudes
Luke
6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed
be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke
6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luke
6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast
out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luke
6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your
reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers
unto the prophets.
This is
sometimes called the sermon on the mount. This sermon has given us
some of the highest ethical teaching in the world. This was a
message to the disciples of Jesus Christ and to all of us who are
saved. This is how we should live and behave. He gives the
blessings to various classes of people. If you read the record of
the beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5, you will see the deep spiritual
side of this sermon. Jesus tells us that if evil men turn us away
from their company due to our service for Christ, we should
rejoice. For GREAT is our reward in heaven. Remember when the
disciples were jailed. Rather than feeling sorry for themselves,
they were praising God’s name in song. And the Philippian jailer
was saved due to their witness.
Acts
16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto
God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts
16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors
were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Acts
16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and
seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have
killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Acts
16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm:
for we are all here.
Acts
16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came
trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Acts
16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be
saved?
Acts
16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and
thy house.
Luke
6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your
consolation.
Luke
6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you
that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Luke
6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did
their fathers to the false prophets.
After hearing
all the blessings awaiting those who do good, we have the record of
the woes that await those that are not serving the Lord. We had
better be careful when we start trusting in our money or if everyone
speaks well of you. You aren’t taking much of a stand when no one
finds fault with you. It is a given… the Godly will suffer
persecution.
2
Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do
good to them which hate you,
Luke
6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you.
Luke
6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the
other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy
coat also.
Luke
6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh
away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke
6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them
likewise.
We are never to
be like the world. The world says to get even and make people pay
for things that they do to you. Get revenge. The Lord says to
love your enemies and to do good to those who hate and despitefully
use you. Boy, this is hard to do. Few are so mature in their
Christian walk that they can do what verse 29 says. When someone
smites you, your natural instinct is to lash out against that
person. But Jesus said to offer the other cheek… if they take way
your cloak, give them your coat too. Verse 31 is the golden
rule. If we treat others as we want to be treated, we will
prosper.
Luke
6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for
sinners also love those that love them.
Luke
6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank
have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luke
6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank
have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Luke
6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for
nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the
children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to
the evil.
Luke
6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
We are to be
God-like, and that means we are to love our enemies and constantly
do good, hoping for nothing in return. Many today demand justice,
but what we all need is mercy. And Jesus said to be merciful to
others as He has been merciful to us.
Luke
6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye
shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke
6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into
your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall
be measured to you again.
Luke
6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the
blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
Luke
6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is
perfect shall be as his master.
Luke
6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Luke
6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull
out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not
the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first
the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to
pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Luke
6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth
a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke
6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do
not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luke
6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth
forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure
of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance
of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Verse 37 has
been used to justify doing anything and telling others to not judge
that sin. But that is not what this is about. We are all to use
discretion and look to the scriptures for direction in our lives.
Never should we fail to judge right from wrong in our own lives.
And that is what this is all about… judging ourselves versus judging
someone else. It is so much easier to see the errors in our
brothers and sisters lives than to see our own. We need to judge
our own lives and we won’t have time to be judging others.
Luke
6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I
say?
Luke
6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth
them, I will show you to whom he is like:
Luke
6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and
laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream
beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was
founded upon a rock.
Luke
6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without
a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream
did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that
house was great.
If we want the
blessing of God on our lives, we must obey his commandments. The
bible says the commandments are not grievous, meaning they are all
for our won good. He says if we will do this, we will have a
secure foundation like the house that the man built on the rock.
When the storms came, the house stood. God will liken us to that
house when we stand on Jesus, our solid rock. However, if we build
on sand, the ways of the world, we will face great destruction.
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Prov
4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth
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[i]J. Vernon
McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file],
electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas
Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.