On The Sabbath Or Not

Scripture:

10 One Sabbath day, while Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, 11 he encountered a seriously handicapped woman. She was crippled and had been doubled over for eighteen years. Her condition was caused by a demonic spirit of bondage that had left her unable to stand up straight. 12-13 When Jesus saw her condition, he called her over and gently laid his hands on her. Then he said, “Dear woman, you are free. I release you forever from this crippling spirit.” Instantly she stood straight and tall and overflowed with glorious praise to God! 14 The Jewish leader who was in charge of the synagogue was infuriated over Jesus healing on the Sabbath day. “Six days you are to work,” he shouted angrily to the crowd. “Those are the days you should come here for healing, but not on the seventh day!” 15 The Lord said, “You hopeless frauds! Don’t you care for your animals on the Sabbath day, untying your ox or donkey from the stall and leading it away to water? 16 If you do this for your animals, what’s wrong with allowing this beloved daughter of Abraham, who has been bound by Satan for eighteen long years, to be untied and set free on a Sabbath day?” 17 When they heard this, his critics were completely humiliated. But the crowds shouted with joy over the glorious things Jesus was doing among them. (Luke 13:10-17 The Passion)

The Jewish leader of the synagogue was so intent on keeping the rules that he considered important, that he totally missed the joy and excitement of seeing an amazing healing. Can we fall into that same trap? Which is more important to follow rules some that have been set, or to do acts of kindness to those in need? I, personally, do not want the rules that have been set, by myself or others, to become more important than people and their needs. Lord, help me stay aware and not fall into the trap of following some rules that leave out compassion and kindness. Thank You for this reminder today. AMEN I realize that my true help and protection come only from the Lord, my Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me. He will always watch over me. Psalm 121

]]>