Luke 13:10-16
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She
was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"
It is so helpful to have Jesus' input on this subject! He directly addresses (again) the subtleties of honoring the Sabbath. When we have God's love, service to others is not earthly work, it is honoring God. There are so many good things we could be doing on the Sabbath! We must rest from our earthly "busy-ness" but also be ready and willing to do God's work.
Holy Lord, help me to turn around my Sundays; may they be more in line with your will. Thank you for Jesus and His teaching, which guides my life. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 13:10-16
The Pharisees were people who felt they had to enforce the laws but not abide by them. In today’s world, I hear much about Homeowners Associations and Condo boards who often seem to abide by this same standard. Jesus speaks very clearly to this problem. He also explains to all of us how important some “work” is and even on the Sabbath it is permissible. This isn’t a “rules are made to be broken” explanation. This is about compassion and healing that needed to be done at that moment—not come back Monday so we don’t break the law.
Prayer: Gracious God, May we take advantage of every opportunity for compassion no matter when it occurs. Amen
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023
Luke 13:10-16
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath…
Luke 13:10-16 As I try to digest this lesson on what constitutes appropriate work on the Sabbath, I have come to an understanding that work done to glorify and honor God is justified as opposed to work that simply advances our own ends. A fine line, I suppose, but this is where discernment aided by the Holy Spirit comes in. The synagogue leader was so fixated on the law he forgot about the love of God.
Prayer - Loving God, Your mercy does not rest on the Sabbath, nor should ours as it reflects Your love to those receiving mercy. Let us be wise and compassionate when we face the choice of work on the Sabbath. Amen
TAA