Read | Luke 6:1–16
On a Sabbath, he passed through the grainfields. His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
Jesus answered them, “Haven’t you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry— how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him.” Then he told them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The scribes and Pharisees were watching him closely, to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against him. But he knew their thoughts and told the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand here.” So he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” After looking around at them all, he told him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored. They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus.
During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
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Why are the Pharisees so angry with Jesus? What does that reveal about their values and priorities?
Focus
Each week, we will look at a different vice, a habit of character leading us away from the life God longs for us to live, and consider what small steps we can take to root out that habitual sin in our lives.
Wrath, or anger, begins as a small flame of resentment and grows until it consumes our peace. Notice how Christ traces anger to its root and commands us to reconcile quickly, even to love our enemies. This week, name the person or situation that stirs your anger, and release it through writing a prayer for the person or situation.
Pray
As I stretch out my hands I pray three times: Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy. Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy. Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.
—St. Macarius
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.