CONNECTING POINT: Sacred Cows

Figures of speech abound all around us. I’m certain in the past week you’ve used some form of a figure of speech, I certainly have. I want to examine with you today a “sacred cow.” Dictionary.com defines this as “an individual, organization, institution, etc., considered to be exempt from criticism or questioning.” Sometimes we hold dearly to our own “sacred cow” and expect others to fall into line. Well, Jesus in Luke chapter 6 addresses the topic.

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, ‘Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’ On another Sabbath, he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Get up and stand in front of everyone.’ So he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’ He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was completely

restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus,” (Luke 6:1-11).

Jesus identifies a major “sacred cow,” the Sabbath rest becoming too legalistic. As with many principles in the Bible (Old and New Testament), there is merit to a day of rest but to literally tie the hands of people on the Sabbath to exclude even menial tasks is extreme.

First, a Sabbath is better understood as taking one day out of the seven-day week as rest. Strains within Christianity today still have tentacles of Judaism woven into their doctrine, some suggest an emphasis on Saturday as the true Sabbath and others adhere to strict work practices. The principle is simple, Christians are wise to take a day of rest, after all God did.

Second, Jesus makes a direct claim of being God in the flesh so therefore, He’s able to distinguish what’s right or wrong on the Sabbath. Certainly, taking a handful of wheat grain in the wild to eat shouldn’t be an issue.

Third, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath demonstrating there is never a wrong day to do something good. A crippled man healed on any day of the week should cause celebration.

Fourth, reactions reveal the true nature and intent of people. In one breath the Pharisees are crying foul about their sacred cow (Sabbath) and accusing others of wrongdoing while plotting evil and letting rage consume their own hearts. Wow, these trained and studious religious leaders had learned nothing!

We too must guard our own hearts from “sacred cows.” What’s yours?