Passage of the Day:
On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 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. 8 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.9 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?” 10 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, Luke 6:6-10.
Reflection:
The Pharisees and religious leaders got so caught up in legalistic interpretations of Jewish law, they forgot the core meaning of the Ten Commandments. During a conversation with a teacher of the law in Matthew 22, Jesus summarizes these initial commandments in two statements. Loving God covers the first 4 commandments. Loving your neighbor as yourself encapsulates the final six. Subsequently, as Jesus sees a desperate man in need of healing on the Sabbath, He asks two open ended questions. When these religious leaders remained silent, Jesus went the right distance before healing this man with a withered hand.
Prayerful Action:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,” Matthew 22:37-40.
Setting Clear Boundaries to Live By:
Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years before His crucifixion on a cross. In His early days with the disciples, Jesus told people that were healed not to tell anyone, knowing that as word got out about healings and miracles it would be harder to disciple and minister to those truly in need. Some first century Jews referred to Jesus as the Great Magician, like some sort of a circus sideshow. This is the argument C.S. Lewis made before coming to faith. Lewis either thought Jesus was a lunatic, liar or Lord? When dealing with legalistic leaders within a church or movement, don’t do things out of spite. Rather, consider the words of the call to action above by loving God and loving others. When you become the hands and feet of Jesus, temperance is victorious over legalism.
Song of the Day:
On Fire is my favorite song from the Ultimate Gift movie soundtrack. As you come in contact with legalistic members of the church community and in life, may your fire for Jesus help bring the lost and wayward to the kingdom of God.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 