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The Scriptorium

The Good News

And it's really, really good. Luke 6.1-23

Luke 6: Part 1 (7)

Pray Psalm 2.10-12.

Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Sing Psalm 2.9-12.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
To Christ the Lord be given all who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes to break the prideful, sinful ones.

Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim. How blessed are all who rest in Him!

Read Luke 6.1-23; meditate on verse 5.

Preparation
1. What did Jesus say about the Sabbath?

2. What did this mean with respect to Himself?

Meditation
In Luke 6.1-23, Jesus looks very much like a King Who is putting together the elements of His Kingdom. He informs the old regime in no uncertain terms that their day has passed. He puts together the team through whom He will bring His rule to earth. And He begins to declare the “constitution” of His new realm in terms of blessing for those who hear and obey.

The two Sabbath vignettes that begin this chapter are a shot across the bow of the old regime of the Pharisees and scribes. The Sabbath was the most visible place where their authority was experienced. They expected everyone to keep the Sabbath the way they insisted, and they even seem to have patrolled the Sabbath to catch any Sabbath-breakers who might try to defy their rules. Jesus declared His authority over the Sabbath and, thus, over all their tyranny of man-made rules and traditions. They were done.

The Good News for the world is that Jesus – He Who brings healing to the multitudes and Good News for the hopeless – will now take charge. Not immediately, but gradually. The gospels report the period of preparation for the rule of King Jesus. The apostles are chosen to be with Jesus, that He might train and prepare them for receiving and advancing the Kingdom after His departure. But His ascension to the throne and the coming of His Kingdom are certain, as He Himself makes clear in all His teaching and works.

Thus, the coming of the Kingdom, of the rule of Jesus Christ, is Good News. It brings the promise of blessing that not even the most untoward of circumstances can prevent. The Good News of the Kingdom of God means the old regime of Satan and all his spiritual and human minions is over. Joy and rejoicing are thus the order of the day for all who hear and receive the Good News and look to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Jesus is King (Ps. 2.6).
His Kingdom is right here on earth, just as it is in heaven (Matt. 6.10).
We are His chosen people, called to do His work in His Kingdom (1 Pet. 2.9, 10; Eph. 2.10).
Right now on this earth, and then in the new heaven and earth (Rev. 21.1).

And because this is the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, we must listen to our King when He says of Himself: “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Lk. 6.5); and when God warns us to: “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little” (Ps. 2.12). “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord…” (Ps. 114.7). “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation” (Jer. 10.10).

This is not a King to be toyed with or served lackadaisically. The people of the LORD God Almighty must love and serve Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22.37). “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage” (Ps. 84.5). Following Him.

David offers a word to the wise: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Ps. 2.11).

For “The LORD is King forever and ever” (Ps. 10.16). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13.8). His reign is perpetually permanent—here, now, there, and then.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1.17). “Serve the LORD with gladness…know that the LORD, He is God…enter into His gates with thanksgiving…and…praise…be thankful to Him, and bless His name…His truth endures to all generations” (Ps. 100.2-5). That’s Good News.

Jesus is King!

For reflection
1. Why do we say that the coming of the Kingdom of God is Good News?

2. What does Jesus promise those who enter and seek His Kingdom?

3. What are the most important things to share about the Good News of the Kingdom?

Regardless of the laws and customs that the Pharisees cited (v. 2), Jesus has authority over the Sabbath. Jesus’ claim of divine authority here is similar to His claim of authority to forgive sins in 5:21, 24. Earl Radmacher (1931-2014), NKJV Study Bible Note on Luke 6.5

Pray Psalm 2.1-6.
Praise and thank the heavenly Father that Jesus reigns on His throne and His Kingdom has come on earth as it is in heaven. Commit your day to the work of seeking the Kingdom and righteousness of God in everything you do.

Sing Psalm 2.1-6.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their counselors stand against the Lord and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below, His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word; no more be governed by this Lord!”

The Lord in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to a summary of last week’s Scriptorium study by going to our website, www.ailbe.org, and clicking the Scriptorium tab for last Sunday. You can download all the studies in our Luke series by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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