Big Theme: The Old Covenant vs. the New Covenant
Key Texts: Luke 5:33–39; Luke 6; Hebrews; Galatians
Jesus deliberately draws a sharp line between the old (Law / Judaism) and the new (Grace / New Covenant). His teaching—and especially His actions—are meant to prepare people for the radical transition that would arrive fully at Pentecost.
Why the Distinction Matters
- Jesus fulfilled the Law, He did not repair or modify it.
- What came with Pentecost was entirely new, not an add-on to Judaism.
- Jesus explicitly warned against mixing law and grace.
- That warning was ignored—especially by Jewish believers who tried to keep parts of the Law alongside faith in Christ.
- This misuse of the Law becomes a major problem in Acts, Galatians, and Hebrews.
Luke 5:33–39 — The Four “Old vs. New” Images
Jesus uses short figurative statements (called parables, broadly defined) to emphasize incompatibility:
-
New cloth on an old garment
- An unshrunk patch will tear the old garment.
- The New Covenant cannot be stitched onto the Old.
-
New wine in old wineskins
- New wine expands; old skins burst.
- Grace cannot be contained within the rigid structures of the Law.
Core Point
Grace and Law do not mix.
Trying to blend them destroys both.
This continues to happen today when Christianity becomes:
- “Saved by grace, but…”
- “Grace plus works equals righteousness.”
The New Covenant Produces a New Nature
Key Texts: Romans 6–8; 2 Corinthians 5:17
- God does not patch up the “old man.”
- The believer receives an entirely new nature—a new quality of life.
- The Christian’s task is to learn to walk by this new nature, not reform the flesh.
- Growth comes by continual grace, not self-effort.
Religious Tradition Resists Newness
- Religious people often cling hardest to tradition.
- “We’ve always done it this way” is a hallmark of resistance to grace.
- Old customs can become idols, even when God is doing something new.
Luke 6 — The Sabbath Conflicts (Grace vs. Tradition)
Jesus intentionally confronts Judaism’s most sacred institution: the Sabbath.
Why Jesus Did This
- He could have healed on other days.
- He deliberately healed on the Sabbath to expose legalism.
- He was not breaking God’s Law—but human-made rules (the Mishnah).
The Pharisees’ Mindset
- After exile, Jewish leaders built “fence laws” to prevent breaking the Law.
- Scribes wrote the rules; Pharisees enforced them.
- Over time, tradition replaced God’s intent.
Examples of Mishnah Rules
- No travel beyond ~3,000 feet (unless loopholes were used).
- No medical treatment unless life-threatening.
- No shaking clothes (might kill an insect).
- 24 chapters of Sabbath restrictions.
Incident 1: Disciples Pluck Grain (Luke 6:1–5)
- The Law allowed eating grain by hand (Deut. 23:24–25).
- Pharisees called it “work” based on extra rules, not Scripture.
- Jesus responds with David eating the showbread:
- Human need overrides ritual restriction.
- Conclusion: “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Incident 2: Healing the Withered Hand (Luke 6:6–11)
- Pharisees set a trap—healing was not “allowed” unless life-threatening.
- Jesus publicly confronts them and asks:
“Is it lawful to do good or to do harm, to save life or destroy it?”
- They remain silent—trapped by their own logic.
- Jesus heals the man.
- Result:
- They are filled with fury
- They begin plotting how to destroy Him
Irony
They accuse Jesus of Sabbath violation, yet they themselves are planning destruction on the Sabbath.
The Sabbath Was Meant for Life
Jesus restores the true purpose of the Sabbath:
- Rest
- Healing
- Mercy
- Restoration
Their version turned it into:
- Bondage
- Burden
- Hypocrisy
- Dehumanization
Luke 13 — The Bent-Over Woman
- A woman bound for 18 years is healed on the Sabbath.
- Religious leaders object.
- Jesus calls them hypocrites:
- They help animals on the Sabbath
- But deny compassion to a suffering woman
- Result:
- Adversaries are put to shame
- People rejoice
Physical Healings Point to Spiritual Truths
Jesus’ miracles illustrate spiritual realities:
| Physical Condition | Spiritual Parallel |
|---|---|
| Blindness | Spiritual blindness |
| Paralysis | Inability to walk worthy |
| Deafness | Inability to hear God |
| Withered hand | Inability to function as designed |
| Bent-over woman | No longer upright / righteous living |
Deliverance restores both physical function and spiritual capacity.
“I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice”
Key Texts: Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9; Matthew 12; Zechariah 7
- God never rejected sacrifice—but it was never the end goal.
- Sacrifice dealt with personal sin.
- Mercy dealt with others.
- The Pharisees stopped at sacrifice and never moved to mercy.
Pattern in Jesus’ Rebukes
- “Go and learn what this means” (Matthew 9)
- “If you had known what this means…” (Matthew 12)
They had Scripture knowledge—but hardened hearts.
God’s Purpose From the Beginning
Genesis 1:26–28
- Humans were created to reflect God’s character and attributes.
- The Law pointed toward this, but couldn’t produce it.
- Under the New Covenant:
- God’s Spirit lives within
- Believers can live it out
- Hence the repeated NT emphasis on “one another”
Final Takeaway
- The New Covenant is not an improvement—it is a replacement.
- Law-based religion leads to pride, hypocrisy, and condemnation.
- Grace produces new life, mercy, and genuine righteousness.
- Jesus exposes legalism and restores God’s heart:
Life over rules
Mercy over sacrifice
Restoration over condemnation