Today’s scripture: Luke 6:1-5 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Angie Eden):
Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?” Then he said, “The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”
There are three kinds of people in the world: those who follow the rules, those who don’t, and those who do and don’t — depending on the rule. Which one are you?
I’ll admit I am a staunch rule-follower. Rules provide the kind of order and predictability I need to keep the volcano of anxiety within me from erupting. Life is simple and safe when we all just follow the rules. Right? Wrong?
Due to my inexperience with rule-breaking, I thought long and hard about just who in today’s world might be considered a rebel, but a good one — a rebel with a cause. For some reason, the late Princess Diana flashed in my mind. Image after image came to me of this beautiful woman with two young sons and the eye and weight of the world on her. Time and time again the mother in her broke royal rule after royal rule. When scheduled for an extended visit to Australia, she insisted on taking a baby Prince William with her. She simply could not imagine separating from her infant for so long so soon. Remember those videos of the boys laughing while riding a roller coaster? And there she was, this Princess, this distinguished woman, in the back laughing along with them. There were also instances in her charitable endeavors when she was scrutinized for hugging, actually touching, lepers and those with AIDS. When challenged about her behavior, she said, “I don’t go by the rule book. . . I lead from the heart, not the head.”
In today’s scripture, Jesus taught this exact lesson. My all-time favorite heroic rebel of all fed his followers when they were hungry, regardless of some rule about what day this hunger happened to fall on. People are more important than regulations.
Thought for the day: For today, give thanks to God for the order and security rules provide. Tell God that you are willing, however, to close the rule book when necessary and stand on the side of Jesus. Ask God for wisdom and strength to be a rebel with a cause.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.