Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
September 19, 2001
:1-6 Healing on the Sabbath
:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief
Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
chief – archon – a ruler,
commander, chief, leader
sabbath day –
Jesus has run into trouble in the past on the Sabbath, Saturday.
The disciples had been eating wheat kernels in the fields on the Sabbath
and got into trouble with the Pharisees.
(Luke 6:1-2 KJV) 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. {2} And
certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to
do on the sabbath days?
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
(Luke 6:6-9 KJV) 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. {7} And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he
would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
{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. {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?
Jesus had healed the woman with back problem on the Sabbath.
(Luke 13:10-16 KJV) And he was teaching in one of the synagogues
on the sabbath. {11} And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of
infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up
herself. {12} And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her,
Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. {13} And he laid his hands on her:
and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. {14} And the ruler of
the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the
sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to
work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. {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? {16} And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom
Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the
sabbath day?
God had commanded the Jews that they were to rest on the Sabbath day and
not do any work (Ex. 20:8-11), but in order to make sure they did this
properly, they had developed huge amounts of tradition as to exactly what
constituted work and what didn’t. Jesus
never broke God’s Laws, but He did not show much respect for man’s traditions
when they contradicted what God expects from people.
And now another Sabbath has come, and Jesus is being watched.
Sabbath – should we worship on Sabbath?
Signs of God’s covenants –
Noahic covenant – the sign was a rainbow
Abrahamic covenant – the sign was circumcision
New Covenant – the sign was in the bread and the wine; love
Mosaic Covenant – the sign was keeping the Sabbath
(Exo
31:16-17 KJV) Wherefore the children of
Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their
generations, for a perpetual covenant. {17} It is a sign between me and the
children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth,
and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
We are not Jews under the Mosaic Covenant.
We are under the New Covenant.
they watched – paratereo
(“alongside” + “to watch”) – to stand beside and watch, to watch
assiduously, observe carefully
(NAS) they were watching Him
closely
(NIV) he was being carefully
watched
They weren’t just hanging out with Jesus, these guys came to this house to
study Jesus, what He said, and what He did.
:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
dropsy – hudropikos –
dropsical, suffering from dropsy; a term sometimes used for edema, an abnormal
accumulation of body fluids.
:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it
lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
lawyers – nomikos –
pertaining to the law, one learned in the law; in the NT an interpreter and
teacher of the Mosaic law
to heal – therapeuo – to
serve, do service; to heal, cure, restore to health
Jesus knows what they’re thinking.
He knows that He’s being watched.
Before He does anything, He makes sure He has their attention and gets
them to thinking.
:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him
go;
held their peace – hesuchazo
– to keep quiet; to rest, cease from labour; to lead a quiet life, said of
those who are not running hither and thither, but stay at home and mind their
business; to be silent, i.e. to say nothing, hold one’s peace
The word not only speaks of silence, but a calm demeanor as well.
let him go – apoluo –
to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); to let go free,
release; a captive i.e. to loose his bonds and bid him depart, to give him
liberty to depart; to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty; to
release a debtor, i.e. not to press one’s claim against him, to remit his debt
This is the same word used to describe the recent healing of the woman that
was bowed in two –
(Luke 13:12 KJV) And when Jesus saw her, he called her to
him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
We could translate this verse, “He took him, and healed him, and loosed
him.”
: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?
ass – onos – an ass. Some versions have “son” (huios), a
difference in manuscripts.
pull him out – anaspao –
to draw up
This is almost exactly what Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue after
healing the bent over woman –
(Luke 13:15-16 KJV) 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? {16} And ought not this woman, being
a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be
loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.
could not – ischuo – to be
strong; to have power; to be able, can
We could almost translate this, “they did not have strength to answer
Him”
Jesus’ logic is perfect. He’s shown
them that they will make allowances in their traditions in order to benefit an
animal, but they won’t make an allowance to help another human being.
It’s almost a little like some of our own culture’s way of thinking.
It’s not okay to kill the whales. But it’s okay to kill unborn children.
A person can be prosecuted for murder if they kill a fetus (the Russian
immigrant who killed his wife is also being prosecuted for killing his unborn
child), but not if the mother wants it to happen.
How does this make sense? It
doesn’t.
Lesson
Care for the things that God cares
for
This group of Pharisees had come to the point where they thought that God
cared only about the Law, and their interpretation of it. They had the idea that God was only
concerned about keeping things neat and tidy.
But God’s concern has always been for people.
We need to be careful that we don’t find ourselves forming our own sets of
rigid rules and focusing on the rules instead of the people.
For example – many people who come to the Lord who have smoked all their
life find that as they follow the Lord, they get to a place where they no
longer need to smoke.
That’s great when people change their behavior out of love
for the Lord.
But it becomes dangerous when we make it a rule and give
people the impression that you can’t smoke and be a Christian at the same
time. That’s totally bogus!
“But” you say, “You are dishonoring the temple of
God!!!” Well, how far do you take
this? Do you have everyone step up to
the scale and say that if you’re overweight that you can’t be a Christian? Do you say that if you eat Krispy Kreme
donuts, you can’t be a Christian?
God cares for people. God’s heart
is for people. We need to learn to see
past our own human-made rules and have a concern for people.
:7-11 Seeking position
:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked
how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
those which were bidden – kaleo
– to call; to invite
Jesus has been invited to this meal at the house of a chief of the
Pharisees. Other Pharisees and experts
in the Mosaic Law are there. Jesus is
going to address these guests.
he marked – epecho –
to have or hold upon, apply, to observe, attend to; to give attention to; to
check
These guys have been watching Jesus carefully. Now He’s going to address something that HE SEES IN THEM!
the chief rooms – protoklisia
(“first” + “chair”) – the first
reclining place, the chief place at table
When you see the King James word “room”, think of our word “place”
they chose out – eklegomai –
to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self
Apparently there had been some kind of jockeying for the best places at
this meal. These guys weren’t just
looking for the most comfortable seats, they were looking for the most
prestigious seats.
:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the
highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
bidden – kaleo – to call;
to invite
wedding – gamos – a
wedding or marriage festival, a wedding banquet, a wedding feast
sit not down – kataklino –
in the NT in reference to eating, to make to recline; to recline (at a table)
the highest rooms – protoklisia
(“first” + “chair”) – the first
reclining place, the chief place at table
a more honourable man – entimos
– held in honour, prized, precious
More honorable in what way? More
honorable to the host of the wedding feast.
I can hear some of the people talking, “Well I’m really this guy’s best
friend you know …”
:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place;
and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
place – topos – place, any
portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space
“Give your seat to this guy”
with shame – aischune –
the confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, sense of shame; ignominy,
disgrace, dishonour
The shame isn’t really in sitting at the last place, the shame is in having
been embarrassed at not being at quite the high spot that you thought you
deserved.
the lowest – eschatos –
extreme; last in time or in place; of rank, grade of worth, last i.e. lowest
room – topos – place, any
portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space
:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when
he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then
shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
sit down – anapipto – to
lie back, lie down; to recline at a table, to sit back
the lowest – eschatos –
extreme; last in time or in place; of rank, grade of worth, last i.e. lowest
room – topos – place, any
portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space
Friend – philos – friend,
to be friendly to one, wish him well
go up higher – prosanabaino –
to go up further; go up higher
worship – doxa – opinion,
in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour,
and glory
in the presence of – enopion –
in the presence of, before
that sit at meat with – sunanakeimai
– to recline together, feast together; of guests
There is no actual guarantee that the host will move you up to a higher
position, but it would be better to already be in the last place than to be
moved down to last in front of your friends.
:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.
whosoever – pas –
individually; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things,
everything
exalteth – hupsoo – to
lift up on high, to exalt; metaph. to raise to the very summit of opulence and
prosperity; to exalt, to raise to dignity, honour and happiness
shall be abased – tapeinoo –
to make low, bring low; to level, reduce to a plain; metaph. to bring into a
humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances; to assign a lower rank or
place to; to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded
he that humbleth – tapeinoo –
to make low, bring low; to level, reduce to a plain; metaph. to bring into a
humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances; to assign a lower rank or
place to; to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded
shall be exalted – hupsoo –
to lift up on high, to exalt; metaph. to raise to the very summit of opulence
and prosperity; to exalt, to raise to dignity, honour and happiness
Lesson
God opposes the proud.
God sets Himself squarely against those who become proud.
Ahithophel
When David’s son Absalom rebelled against his father and tried to seize the
kingdom, one of David’s chief counselors, Ahithophel signed on to help with the
rebellion.
Ahithophel was very, very wise.
Everyone took what he said with great authority.
(2 Sam
16:23 KJV) And the counsel of
Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at
the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and
with Absalom.
When David found out about Ahithophel helping Absalom, all he could do was
pray
(2 Sam
15:31 KJV) And one told David, saying,
Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I
pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
God answered David’s prayer, and when Ahithophel found out that Absalom
wasn’t following every piece of advice that he had to give him, it was too much
for Ahithophel. He gotten so used to
the idea that people treated him as if God was speaking, and he couldn’t take
not having that respect anymore.
(2 Sam
17:23 KJV) And when Ahithophel saw that
his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home
to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself,
and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
Adonijah
Adonijah was another of David’s sons who thought that he ought to be
king. He was third in line for the
throne after his older brothers Amnon and Absalom.
As David got close to death, Adonijah thought he better make his move and
gathered his friends together and had himself declared king.
But when David found out about it, he had Solomon declared king instead.
Lesson
God works in the life of a humble
person
(1 Pet 5:5-6 KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto
the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with
humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. {6}
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time:
be clothed – egkomboomai – knot or band by which two things
are fastened together, to fasten or gird one’s self; This was the white scarf
or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and
distinguished slaves from freemen, hence in #1Pe 5:5,
"gird yourselves with humility as your servile garb" means by putting
on humility, show your subjection one to another. Also, this refers to the
overalls which slaves wore to keep clean while working, an exceedingly humble
garment.
humble yourselves – tapeinoo –
to make low, bring low
This verb, as well as the “be clothed” verb are both
imperatives. They are commands. They are things that we have a
responsibility to do.
When a person has begun to demonstrate pride, they will find that God is
working against them. Yet when they
demonstrate humility, God gives them “grace”.
grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight,
sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness,
favour
Lesson
Work at humility
I have this notion that true humility is something that can quickly be
lost. When we find ourselves in a good
place, in a humble place, we will find that God is working strongly in our
lives. And then if we’re not careful,
we begin to take credit for what God is doing, and then things fall apart.
Sometimes when God “resists” the proud, He does it by keeping us in a lowly
place.
I’ve heard Pastor Chuck talk about his journey through ministry. He was in the ministry for seventeen years
before he became the pastor of a little church in Costa Mesa called Calvary
Chapel. He never had what would be
called great “success”. When he became
pastor of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, there were twenty five people there.
But when God began to work in Chuck’s life in a big way, Chuck had become
so aware that he wasn’t able to do be successful at ministry, that he knew that
it was God at work. And he’s been able
to stay in that attitude, knowing that is isn’t him, but it’s all God’s work.
For some of us, we long to have God use us, but I have this feeling that
sometimes before God can use a person, God has to help them learn that He is
their strength. Sometimes He has to
allow a person to go through lowly circumstances until they are broken and
realize that only God can do the work of the ministry.
I see it in some of us when we get discouraged about our ministries,
wanting to see great things being done, but nobody comes to our event. Hang in there. It’s God’s ministry, not yours.
We have a responsibility to continue in humility.
Jesus said,
(Mark
10:42-45 KJV) But Jesus called them
to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over
the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise
authority upon them. {43} But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will
be great among you, shall be your minister: {44} And whosoever of you will be
the chiefest, shall be servant of all. {45} For even the Son of man came not to
be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The word “minister” means “servant”. The greatest people in the kingdom of God
are those who have learned to be a servant.
The greatest people are not those who have everyone waiting on them hand
and foot. The greatest people in God’s
eyes are those who help others the most.
(John
13:1-17 KJV) Now before the feast
of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart
out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved them unto the end. {2} And supper being ended, the devil having
now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; {3} Jesus
knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was
come from God, and went to God; {4} He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. {5} After that he poureth water
into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the
towel wherewith he was girded. {6} Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter
saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? {7} Jesus answered and said unto
him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. {8} Peter
saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash
thee not, thou hast no part with me. {9} Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not
my feet only, but also my hands and my head. {10} Jesus saith to him, He that
is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye
are clean, but not all. {11} For he knew who should betray him; therefore said
he, Ye are not all clean. {12} So after he had washed their feet, and had taken
his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have
done to you? {13} Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
{14} If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to
wash one another's feet. {15} For I have given you an example, that ye should
do as I have done to you. {16} Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent
him. {17} If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jesus gave us an example.
I believe that part of secret of learning and keeping humility is in
learning to be a servant.
Remember the old adage, “I don’t do windows”? God’s servants do windows. God’s servants clean toilets. God’s servants help those around them.