ACC ~ Luke 6 v1 - 11

OVERVIEW:

The sabbath is of the Father’s making, so Jesus the Physician may dispense from it for healing from head to toe (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). This Son of man brings the sabbath of grace not of law, the sabbath of the eternal resurrection. Jesus makes it clear to the scribes and Pharisees that they have misunderstood the sabbath. By entering the cornfields on the sabbath, Jesus has the disciples enter the world (the field) and the abundant fruitfulness of the saints as humanity multiplies (the corn) and as they participate in the fruits of the church in the apostolic work (AMBROSE). What David did with the bread of presence in the tabernacle, Christ now does with grain that is not yet bread on the sabbath, for the showbread is the bread of heaven that is now the Eucharist in our churches (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

The second part of the sabbath controversy is linked to the first, as Jesus heals the man with a withered hand in order to show the Pharisees the kind of mercy God requires (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Jesus’ healing rebukes the evil interpretation of the sabbath by the Pharisees. Stretching forth the hand is the common remedy for any ailment, especially as the hand stretches forth in works of charity (AMBROSE).

6:1-5 | Jesus’ Theology of the Sabbath

THE SABBATH IS OF THE FATHER’S MAKING

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “Behold, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” [1] Our Lord had instructed them in advance and trained them in the truth of the just, so that whenever he dispensed from the law fully, they would not be alarmed. His Father had also dispensed from sabbaths to show that the sabbath was of his own making. He was also continuing to dispense from it that he might show that these were discerning remedies, proposed by the skilled physician for the pain which stretches from the sole of the foot to the head. [2] COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 5.23. [3]

[1] Mt 12:2.

[2] See Is 1:5-6.

[3] ECTD 106*.

THE ALLEGORICAL MEANING OF THE FIELD, THE CORN AND THE FRUIT

AMBROSE: The Lord Jesus begins to divest man [people] of the observation of the old law and clothes him with the new covering of grace not only through the understanding of words but also through the very usage and appearance of actions. Already on the sabbath, he leads him through the cornfields, that is, he brings him to what abounds in fruit. What the sabbath, the standing corn, and the ears mean to him is no small mystery. The field is this whole world, and the standing corn of the field is an abundant fruitfulness of saints in the sowing of the human race. The ears of the field are the fruits of the church that the apostles scattered with their works and on which they fed, sustaining themselves on our progress. The corn was already standing rich in abundant ears of virtues. The fruits of our merit are compared with these, because they also wither in a shower or are parched by the sun or soaked by the rain or shattered by storms or hoarded by the reapers in the storehouses of the blessed granaries. The earth has already received the Word of God, and the nourishing field sown with heavenly seed has brought forth abundant fruit. The disciples hungered for the salvation of humankind, and by the splendid miracles of their works they plucked as if from the husks of their bodies fruits of their minds to the light of faith. The Jews thought that this was not permitted on the sabbath, but Christ through the gift of new grace designated the idleness of the law as a work of grace. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.28-29. [1]

[1] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL

THE SHOWBREAD IS THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Now although David acted contrary to what the law approves, he is rightly and justly esteemed by us as worthy of all admiration because he was truly a saint and prophet. Since the law of Moses expressly commands justice and does not consider the person being judged, [1] “how,” he says, “do you condemn my disciples while you still admire as a saint and prophet the blessed David, although he did not keep Moses’ command?”

There is clearly indicated to us by the loaves of the showbread the bread that comes down from heaven to be set upon the holy tables of the churches and all the furniture of the table. Bread used for the performance of its mystical service was a plain type of the divine treasures. Spiritually the bread signifies the twelve apostles, of whom we shall speak in due order when our comments reach the disciples themselves. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 21-22. [2]

[1] Deut 1:16.

[2] CGSL 121**.

6:6-11 | Jesus’ Healing on the Sabbath

JESUS HEALS ON THE SABBATH TO TEACH THE PHARISEES MERCY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The miracle sometimes converts to faith those who had disbelieved the word, but the Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal on the sabbath. The nature of an envious person is such that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease and is wickedly maddened by their reputation. Once more he spoke to this; “he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” [1] And why did he do this? Perhaps it might be to move the cruel and unpitying Pharisee to compassion. The man’s malady [his withered hand] perhaps might shame them and persuade them to dispel the flames of their envy.

This question is most wise indeed and a most suitable statement to meet their folly. If it is lawful to do good on the sabbath and nothing prevents the sick being pitied by God, cease picking up opportunities for fault-finding against Christ and bringing down on your own head the sentence which the Father has decreed against those who dishonor the Son. You have heard the Father where he says of the Son by the voice of David, “I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.” [2] But if it is not lawful to do good on the sabbath and the law forbids the saving of life, you have made yourself an accuser of the law. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23. [3]

[1] Dan 2:22.

[2] Ps 89:23.

[3] CGSL 122*.

JESUS REBUKES THE PHARISEES’ INTERPRETATION

AMBROSE: “Are you angry at me because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day?” [1] In this place he revivified with the salutary strength of good works the hand which Adam stretched out to pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree. [2] The hand which had withered through a crime was healed by good deeds. Christ thereby rebuked the Jews who violated the precepts of the law with evil interpretations. They thought that they should rest even from good works on the sabbath, since the law prefigured in the present the form of the future in which indeed the days of rest from evils, not from blessings, would come. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.39. [3]

[1] Jn 7:23.

[2] Gen 3:6.

[3] EHG 161*.

STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND FOR OTHERS

AMBROSE: Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.” That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. [1] The hand is stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God. [2] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.40. [3]

[1] See Is 1:15, 17.

[2] 1 Kings 13:4-6.

[3] EHG 162*.