In Luke 5:33-39, Jesus responds to criticism about his disciples' lack of fasting by using parables to explain the newness and transformative nature of his teachings, suggesting that they require a fresh approach and mindset. Contrary to popular belief, this is not Jesus’ way of denouncing Judaism or the Old Covenant.

In Luke 6:1-5, Jesus and his disciples walk through a grainfield on the Sabbath. His disciples picked some heads of grain to eat, which was considered work by the Pharisees. Jesus responds by pointing out that King David and his men once ate the consecrated bread from the temple when hungry, even though it was against the law. Jesus makes some interesting statements that are often misunderstood in the Christian Church to imply that the Sabbath is not important and Jesus has no regard for the Jewish Law. Instead, it is the opposite, emphasizing that human needs and compassion should take precedence over strict adherence to ceremonial laws.

In this passage, Jesus enters a synagogue on the Sabbath and encounters a man with a withered hand. The scribes and Pharisees watch Him closely, hoping to accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath laws by healing that day. Jesus, aware of their intentions, poses a question to them: 'Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?' He then proceeds to heal the man's hand, demonstrating that compassion and healing are permissible even on the Sabbath. This account highlights Jesus' challenge to the traditional understanding of Sabbath observance, emphasizing the importance of mercy and kindness in interpreting the law.

Jesus justified healing on the Sabbath by prioritizing compassion over strict Sabbath observance. While these actions breached the Sabbath, they underscored the importance of mercy and compassion in God's eyes.

In this commentary on the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37, the timeless lesson of loving one's neighbor is explored through the lens of first-century Jewish and Samaritan relations. The narrative challenges the lawyer's attempt to narrowly define "neighbor" and emphasizes that true neighborly love transcends racial and religious boundaries. Through the actions of the Samaritan, Jesus illustrates that compassion and mercy are the core principles of the Torah, overriding ritual purity and societal divisions. This story calls readers to a broader, more inclusive understanding of love and kindness, urging them to be neighbors to all humanity.