READING IN LUKE 6
READING IN LUKE 6
The end of chapter 5 shows that the old order of things and the new, which latter Christ was introducing, could not go on together. The allusion to David here is significant, as showing the culmination of the preceding course of events; the inauguration of a totally new system of things in which the Son of man should be supreme. Although the dispensational side is not so prominent as in the corresponding passage in Matthew, the new order of things, as the sphere of Christ’s authority, is clearly indicated, Viewed from the side of the believer’s progress, which commences in the beginning of chapter 5, the change of system is in its place in chapter 6.
From the moment of David’s definite rejection Saul’s kingdom had come to an end morally. Things [p. 32] that had been regarded as sacred were common if the true king was refused. So here, the sabbath was the sign of the covenant with Israel: the disciples pluck ears of corn on that day, and the Lord justifies them; hence the covenant is broken. Although all Israel did not acknowledge David, the kingdom under him began, in principle, from the period of his rejection. The same is seen here in Christ. David went to the cave of Adullam, and there became a centre; and he became a captain over those who came out to him. Here the Lord chooses twelve from among His disciples and names them apostles. There is a wholly new system set up and dominated by Christ. It is of all moment that Christians should fully apprehend this; and that, as calling Christ Lord, we should do the things which He says, verse 46.
The man whose hand was withered represents the condition of Israel: they had no power to work for God. The right hand is the member of power. The Lord was now working. The Father had been working, and now, as Man, Christ was working. Others should be brought into work, hence the apostles are named. Their ordination properly follows the restoration of the man’s withered hand. The administration of the kingdom involves work. David had mighty men; here the Lord has mighty men. To be effective in the kingdom we must have our withered hands restored. In the types the blood was put on the right hand and on that the oil. Power for the kingdom lies in the Spirit. Paul was a characteristic man of power in the kingdom.
The treatment of the sabbath in this chapter is of special importance. It was, as we said, the sign of the first covenant with Israel. The Lord performs a good work on that day, calling special attention to it. The truth is, that the old covenant was utterly ineffective, and so God found fault with it. “.Finding [p. 33] fault, he says to them, Behold, days come, saith the Lord, and I will consummate a new covenant as regards the house of Israel, and as regards the house of Juda”, Hebrews 8: 8. But the covenant was not abandoned simply because of its faultiness, but also on account of Israel’s unfaithfulness; “because they did not continue in my covenant, and I did not regard them, saith the Lord”, Hebrews 8: 9. This latter is what is evident in Luke 6. The Lord had spoken of the old and new in chapter 5; in Hebrews 8 the first covenant is said to have been rendered old by the introduction of the new; it was “old and aged”, and hence disappearing.
What is contemplated here is the establishment of the kingdom in the midst of the Jews; the Gentiles come in later. It is the mediatorial kingdom, for the Lord is seen administering it as the dependent Man. Before choosing the apostles “he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God;” verse 12. Having named the apostles He descends “with them, and stood in the plain”, verse 17. Thus the Lord stands forth as the new centre for men; and in Him divine power was active for universal relief and blessing. Here we have not isolated cases of healing simply but “power went out from him and healed all”.
Then follow the principles which should govern the new order of things. “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God”, verse 20. We learn from, this the character of those in the kingdom; the poor. The kingdom is established in God’s goodness, and those in it should be exercised so as to be in accord with its character. They were to be like God. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil”, verse 35.
[p. 34] The creation had been a testimony to God, but now He is to shine through His people. The physical creation witnessed to His eternal power and Godhead, Romans 1: 20; but His nature, is seen in His sons. Peter opened his mouth and beginning to speak of Christ, he proceeded on the lines followed in this gospel: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him”, Acts 10. Since then multitudes of mouths have been opened to tell the same blessed news. We are to be sons of the Highest. Luke always has elevation for man in view.
After the kingdom is introduced we have the principles outlined by which it is to be governed, and its characteristics; what God is, as revealed in grace, shines out in those who are in it. “He is good to the unthankful and wicked. Be ye therefore merciful, even as your Father also is merciful”, verse 35. Christ was there on the part of God, going about doing good, and now the saints are to be here on the same line.
In verse 39 the Lord speaks a parable which contemplates leadership; and then He shows that the disciple is not above his teacher. The chapter really covers the history of the kingdom; they would be leaders. If the blind led the blind both should fall into the ditch. But Christ is the great model for us in everything. Paul followed the great Master closely.
To help another to judge self we must be clear ourselves. One given to fault finding is almost sure to be hypocritical; he is allowing something in himself as bad, or worse, than what he objects to in others. A man with a beam in his eye cannot see at all, and yet he will undertake to perform an operation on his brother’s eye! It is imperative [p. 35] that an oculist should have good eyesight. Finally, the Lord refers to building. We are all builders, but the question is: on what foundation are we building? The strength of the structure will be tested some day. The point is obedience: what survives the test is only that which is the result of obedience. He that “comes to me and hears my words and does them”. Coming to Him, we value His words, and regard it to be wisdom to execute them. Thus our houses survive every storm. But how solemn for those who hear the Lord’s words and do them not! Everything here turns on the Lord’s authority and the value of His words.
In the next chapter a Gentile owns His authority. Psalm 119 comes in properly at the end of the Psalms, as showing how the godly man is entirely controlled by God’s commandments and His word. The length and character of the psalm show how fully the writer appreciated his subject.