--------------------------------------------------------------
www.biblegateway.com
JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE
Mark 3 v. 1-6 (NIV)
Another time (Jesus) went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled had was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."
Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
------
Let me repeat this: God created the Sabbath for our benefit, not His own. God derives no benefit from having us rest on the Sabbath, but we are restored mentally, physically and spiritual when we take time to rest and to focus on God.
Here Jesus implies that the Sabbath is a day to do good. God provided the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, but He didn't mean that concern for rest should keep us from lifting a finger to help others. I don't know how many of you watch The Good Wife on CBS, but this week's episode centered around an Orthodox Jewish couple being sued for not helping a woman who fell on their property, due to their lack of maintenance and being able to use machines (the phone to call for help), because of the man-made laws they were observing to honor God. I haven't finished the episode, so I'm not sure if the woman who fell was lying or not (that may be another lesson); BUT how timely for today's word were the actions of the couple.
Honoring God, by ignoring someone in need- I don't see how this makes sense. And I'm sure we all do it, as we rush to church, Bible Studies, life groups, religious activities- do we put people in need on the back burner? Don't allow your Sabbath, your schedule and attempts to honor God become a time of selfish indulgence. Don't get it confused and believe you're honoring God, when it's more about you, instead of His people.
**********************************************************************
Prayer: Father, thank You for correction and clarity. If we claim to be doing anything for You, and yet ignore the needs of the people before us-we're doing the exact opposite of what You have commanded of us. LORD, pour love over us. I pray that we each absorb it, and take action to live in it. Not in judgment, not in religious rituals and traditions- but love. Love looks out for the other man, for their needs, and not just our own. LORD, help us to remove the ideals of this world, and truly take in, to the very core of our souls- exactly what we were created for. Above personal dreams and purpose, above all things- we're called to love one another in order to reveal You to a dying world. Bless Your name, Father. Jesus, in Your strong name we stand. Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, and Life Application Study Bible.
www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
No comments:
Post a Comment