The all-encompassing lordship of Jesus

Luke 6.

After Satan falsely claimed authority over the kingdoms of this world in chapter 4, Luke, under the Spirit's control, established the all-encompassing authority of Jesus.

1. Jesus has authority over the natural world. (Luke 5:1-11)
Even fish obeyed His command.  In chapter 8, the wind and sea respond at His word.

2. Jesus has authority over the physical world. (Luke 5:12-26)
He cleansed the leper.  He healed the paralytic.  In chapter 6, He restored the man's hand.  And, in 6:19, He "healed them all."

3. Jesus has authority over the spiritual world. (Luke 5:20-21)
As God, He forgave the man's sin.  In chapter 6 verse 18, "those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured."

4. Jesus has authority over the Scriptures. (Luke 6:1-6)
The positional religious leaders were supposed to be teaching and implementing what God had said.   Instead, they tried to control the nation by their own made-up laws that emphasized outward conformity.  Jesus' lack of yielding to their authority caused them to consistently look for ways to be rid of Him.  They criticized Jesus for reaching out to sinners with God's forgiveness (Luke 5:27-32).  They criticized His disciples for not fasting (Luke 5:33-39).  In chapter 6, verses 1-11, they called His actions regarding the Sabbath unlawful.

What they forgot was that the Old Testament Law had been given for human good, not as a punishment.  Resting one day a week was a healthy thing to do.  Eating and helping on the Sabbath were good things to do (6:9).  And, when it comes to who is in charge, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (v.5).  Here, the Son of God, the Messiah, stood right in front of them.  They saw the miracles.  But, the liberals and legalists were more concerned with maintaining their rituals.

Jesus, then, taught about the inward commitments to God that transform a life.  Almost every statement is the opposite of human thinking: hungry-satisfied, weep-laugh, hated-rejoice, enemies-love, give-receive.

This section closes with a parable of how to build a life that is rock solid and endures (vv.46-49).  

True life begins when a person surrenders to the authority of Jesus as Lord.