Bible Study: Episode VI

On Sept 16th we explored several scriptures that are connected within the scope of Episode VI of the second season of The Chosen. The episode is called "Unlawful" — below is a quick recap of the episode, before we dive into the scriptures.

About Episode V -- We’re back with Jesus and the disciples and camp. Matthew and other can see that it’s not going well. Mary has left camp, and people are heartbroken about it.

John the Baptist was arrested. And the resources are scarce. It’s hard to understand why God is letting the disciples experience this. Jesus reminds us that God is the Lord of the Sabbath- that He is in control. That He loves people. It was a beautiful episode.

What you see below are a mix between my Bible Study notes, and some of the reflections from the participants. We still have 3 episodes to watch and many excellent scriptures to explore, I pray that you consider joining us one of these Tuesdays at 2 PM

Scriptures to Explore

1 Samuel 21:1-9; Luke 6:6-11; Psalm 19:7 Psalm 20:7; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:14-16;

Matthew 12:1-18; Mark 2:18-27; Matthew 9:1-12; John 8:1-3

Read Psalm 19... The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. These beautiful words from Psalm 19 describe God's word as "more desirable than gold, even the finest gold" and "sweeter than honey." Yet throughout history, we've often misunderstood, weaponized, and burdened ourselves with Scripture rather than finding the freedom it was meant to bring.

So, Where Did We Go Wrong with Scripture?

How did something described as "sweeter than honey" become a tool to push, punish, and create banners of war? The problem isn't with what God said—the problem is with our understanding and interpretation. In Jesus' time, religious leaders had created 613 laws from the Torah. These interpretations became burdensome rules that people couldn't possibly follow. Rather than bringing freedom, they brought condemnation. The Pharisees and teachers of religious law were so focused on the letter of the law that they missed its spirit. They used Scripture to maintain power and control rather than to show mercy and love.

What Does God Really Want from Us?

In Hosea 6:6, God makes His priorities clear: "I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings." This verse reveals God's heart. He desires relationship over ritual, mercy over sacrifice, and understanding over blind obedience. Jesus repeatedly emphasized this principle in His ministry.

Jesus' Approach to the Sabbath

The Sabbath was a perfect example of how religious leaders had twisted God's good gift into a burden. In Mark 2:27, Jesus clarified: "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath." God designed the Sabbath as a day of rest, renewal, and reconnection—a time to catch your breath and gain perspective about who you are and whose you are. It was meant to free people from life's burdens, not add to them.

Human Need Over Religious Rigidity

In Matthew 12, Jesus and His disciples were walking through grain fields on the Sabbath. When His disciples were hungry, they began picking heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees immediately criticized them for "breaking the Sabbath." Jesus responded by reminding them of how David and his companions, when hungry, ate the sacred bread from the temple that was reserved only for priests. He then declared, "I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the temple." The message was clear: human need and divine mercy outweigh ritual rigidity. Jesus wasn't abolishing the law but fulfilling its true purpose.

The Man with the Deformed Hand

This principle is further illustrated in Luke 6, where Jesus heals a man with a deformed hand on the Sabbath. The religious leaders were watching closely, hoping to accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath laws. Jesus asked them a penetrating question: "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" Then He healed the man's hand. While the religious leaders were "wild with rage," Jesus demonstrated that doing good and showing mercy is always appropriate, even on the Sabbath.

New Wine Requires New Wineskins

In Matthew 9, even John the Baptist's disciples questioned Jesus: "Why don't your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?" Jesus responded with powerful metaphors: "Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not." He compared His presence to a wedding celebration—a time of joy, not fasting and mourning. He continued with illustrations about not patching old clothing with new cloth or putting new wine into old wineskins. Jesus was teaching that His ministry wasn't just a patch on old religious systems—it was something entirely new that required new structures and attitudes.

Freedom from the Burden of the Past

One of the most beautiful examples of Jesus' mercy is found in John 8, where He encounters a woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders wanted to stone her according to the law, but Jesus said, "Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone." When all the accusers had left, Jesus told her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." He didn't burden her with shame but freed her to move forward.

This same message appears throughout Jesus' ministry: Do not let the burden of the past hold you back from the joy of your future. Understanding Scripture isn't a one-time event but an everyday journey of growth.

Life Application

The core message throughout these passages is that God desires mercy over sacrifice, relationship over ritual, and understanding over blind obedience. Here's how we can apply this in our daily lives:

• Approach Scripture seeking to understand God's heart, not just rules to follow

• Show mercy to others as God has shown mercy to you

• Don't let religious practices become burdens that miss the point of relationship with God

• Remember that human need and compassion should guide our interpretation of God's commands

• Don't let past failures define your future—accept God's forgiveness and "go and sin no more"

Questions to Consider:

1. In what areas of my life am I following religious rules without understanding their purpose?

2. How might I be using Scripture to judge others rather than showing mercy?

3. Where do I need to accept God's forgiveness and stop letting past failures define me?

4. How can I better balance adherence to God's commands with showing compassion to others?

5. Am I treating God's word as "sweeter than honey," or has it become a burden?

This week, look for opportunities to choose mercy over judgment, relationship over ritual, and freedom over burden—both for yourself and others. Remember that God's word was given not to condemn but to bring life.