Lord of the Sabbath
What rules your time?
For most of us, it’s a mixture of packed schedules, endless to-do lists, and that persistent feeling that there’s never enough time. But in Luke 6, we find Jesus challenging that mindset—not with more rules or better time management tips—but with an invitation to be reoriented around him.
Jesus’ world was different, especially for first-century Jews. They didn’t just manage time—they made it holy. The Sabbath, rooted in the creation story, was God's way of blessing time itself. It wasn’t just about rest—it was about remembering who God is: provider, sustainer, and healer.
But by the time of Jesus, Sabbath had become a legal maze of do’s and don’ts. People weren’t resting to connect with God—they were resting to avoid punishment. Fence laws—manmade rules meant to keep people from accidentally breaking the Sabbath—had become more important than the heart of the Sabbath itself.
Jesus enters this picture not to throw out the Sabbath, but to fulfill it.
In two back-to-back Sabbath encounters, Jesus redefines what it means to use time well.
His disciples pick grain, and the Pharisees accuse them of working.
Jesus responds with a story about David eating holy bread to meet a need, making the point: human need outweighs religious technicalities.He heals a man’s withered hand in front of watchful, judgmental eyes.
Jesus challenges them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm?” Then, in full view, he restores the man—showing that Sabbath is for healing, not for hiding brokenness.
At the heart of both stories is this truth: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. He is Lord of our time. He’s not interested in you having a perfect schedule or keeping every rule—he wants to restore your soul.
So, what does that mean for us?
We may not be legalistic about rest, but many of us fall into one of two traps:
We don’t rest at all. Life is hustle, productivity, and anxious toil. We think everything depends on us. But Psalm 127 reminds us: "In vain you rise early and stay up late... for he gives to his beloved sleep."
We rest, but it's not restful. Our “rest” is full of side hustles, endless scrolling, and entertainment that distracts but doesn’t restore. We claim it’s “me time,” but it often leaves us more restless.
True Sabbath isn't about just stopping work. It's about trusting Jesus. It's about bringing our weakness, our need, and even our shame into the light—like the man with the withered hand—because healing happens when we stop hiding.
Jesus invites us into time with him. Not to control our time or escape from it—but to redeem it.
Reflection Questions
In what ways are you being ruled by time? What’s driving your schedule right now?
How do you typically “rest”? Is it truly restful, or just another form of escape or busyness?
What would it look like to reorient your time around Jesus instead of your work, your needs, or your desires?
Is there something you’re hiding—a weakness or wound—that Jesus is inviting into the light?
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