Yesterday we explored a story about Jesus and his followers eating grain in the fields on a Saturday, a day of rest, and getting in trouble from the religious authorities. In his response, Jesus referred to one of the great heroes of the Jewish faith, David, who ate holy bread in the temple when he was starving. He mentions the story, and lets the religious authorities do what they do best – argue about God while God is standing right there. He asks them why David got away with eating holy bread, since David was never condemned for eating it.
This story illustrates Jesus’ approach to two kinds of law. There is God’s law given at creation about the Sabbath: rest on the seventh day…period. That stands, and that’s actually what Jesus is about – giving us eternal rest, even today. But there is also the ritual/Sabbath/ceremonial law that is built on top of the basic commandment at creation. Think of it like scaffolding around a structure to help build it – it can be very helpful in following God’s law. But we don’t want to let it obscure God’s original purpose and law. This scaffolding is a reality of our sin or rebellion from God. Our hearts don’t naturally follow God’s law anymore, and so we need these additional structures. But, don’t forget they are provisional…until something comes along and makes them obsolete
Then Jesus comes along and says, “I am Lord of the Sabbath.”
He claims to be God, and gives an invitation to find rest in him, and to stop wrestling with sin and other sinful realities around us, to stop wrestling with ourselves, and just rest in him as he fights those battles.
Claims like this got him in trouble with the Pharisees and Scribes, and eventually their urging that he be killed. But in doing, they made him Lord of the Sabbath…exactly what he’d said.
On the cross, he is restless for us – huge work. He takes on the restlessness of our sin and because of that, we can rest, not on our work overcoming sin and brokenness in our lives, but on his work.
We see him showing that the day of rest, the Sabbath, isn’t the point, just as the temple bread wasn’t the point. God is the point. Resting in God is the point. We’ll see how tomorrow.
Question: Why do you think Jesus’ claims were so offensive to the religious legalists?
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CloseRyan Sim - May 19, 2014
Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer People
![Pioneer Story](https://www.redeemthecommute.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Pioneer-Story-642-642.png)
We introduced our Pioneer Story series with the story of Steve Jobs. This may be because I just watched the film “Jobs”, that chronicles his life from starting the Apple company in a garage, and growing it to what we know today. There’s a scene where the filmmakers go to great pains to show a transformation in Steve. It’s the early days of Apple in a garage. He is angry, having found out his girlfriend is pregnant, and he’s told her to leave his life. He says it’s her problem, not his. We then find him enraged before a mirror, tucking in his shirt, tidying his hair. His face hardens. The next few scenes are designed to show us he’s isolated, hardened and hyperfocused on his success as a businessman. His anger is driving him now. One of his former friends explains to another ,”Steve changed.” This was not exactly a change to be copied in our own lives, that’s not why I tell the story! Steve Jobs accomplished great things, but at great cost. And the turning point, according to this film, was that day his girlfriend said she was pregnant. We’re going to explore a life transformation this week, but one that was ultimately for the good of the entire world, and those who were transformed themselves. This was the transformation that happened in Jesus’ followers when they received the Holy Spirit. With the resurrection of Jesus, they were transformed from terrified failures into emissaries on a mission. With the day of Pentecost, that we learned about last week, the Holy Spirit arrived and transformed them into confident speakers riskily challenging the status quo We’re going to see how that kind of transformation can happen with us. We want to explore those times where people say someone changed, not becoming a hardened, ruthless person, but changing for the better. Jesus still changes lives today, and it’s still up for debate among many whether that’s good or bad. People changed by Jesus are still disowned by families, shunned in workplaces, even killed in some places in the world. Following Jesus entails a transformation not to be taken lightly. Question: Have you ever seen Jesus transform a life? What changed in that person? Was it for the better or worse, in your opinion? What did they do?
Related Topics: Early Church, Jesus, Pioneer, Transformation | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Pioneer Story"
We read through the Book of Acts as a Pioneer Story for the church.
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EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Tuesday | March 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
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EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Friday | March 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Thursday | March 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Wednesday | March 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Tuesday | March 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Monday | March 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Friday | March 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Thursday | March 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Wednesday | March 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Tuesday | March 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Monday | March 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Friday | March 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Thursday | March 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Wednesday | March 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Tuesday | March 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Monday | March 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Friday | February 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Thursday | February 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Wednesday | February 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Tuesday | February 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Monday | February 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Friday | February 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Thursday | February 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Wednesday | February 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Tuesday | February 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Monday | February 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Friday | February 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Thursday | February 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Wednesday | February 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Tuesday | February 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Monday | February 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Friday | February 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Thursday | February 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Wednesday | February 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Tuesday | February 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Monday | February 2, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: Noah - Friday | January 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Thursday | January 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Wednesday | January 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Monday | January 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Friday | January 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Thursday | January 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Wednesday | January 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Tuesday | January 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Monday | January 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Friday | January 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Thursday | January 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Wednesday | January 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Tuesday | January 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Friday | January 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Redeemer's First Baptisms - Thursday | January 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Pioneer Spirit - Wednesday | December 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Jesus the Shepherd - Tuesday | December 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Reset Body & Food - Monday | December 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Friday | December 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Thursday | December 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Wednesday | December 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Tuesday | December 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Monday | December 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Friday | December 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Thursday | December 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Wednesday | December 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Tuesday | December 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Monday | December 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Friday | December 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Thursday | December 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Wednesday | December 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Tuesday | December 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Monday | December 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Friday | December 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Thursday | December 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Wednesday | December 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Tuesday | December 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Monday | December 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Friday | November 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Thursday | November 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Wednesday | November 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Tuesday | November 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Monday | November 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Friday | November 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Thursday | November 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Wednesday | November 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Tuesday | November 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Monday | November 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Friday | November 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Thursday | November 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Wednesday | November 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Tuesday | November 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Monday | November 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Friday | November 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Thursday | November 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Wednesday | November 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Tuesday | November 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Monday | November 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Friday - Reflect | October 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Thursday - Act On It | October 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Wednesday - Change It | October 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Tuesday - Study It | October 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Monday | October 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Foundation | October 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Foundation | October 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Foundation | October 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Foundation | October 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Foundation | October 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Forgiver | October 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Forgiver | October 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Forgiver | October 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Forgiver | October 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Forgiver | October 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Teacher | October 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Teacher | October 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Teacher | October 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Teacher | October 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Teacher | October 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Revolutionary | October 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Revolutionary | October 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen |