10/1/20
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
In Luke 14:1-6 Jesus breaks the law. That’s all there is to it. He breaks the law. He works on the Sabbath day. It isn’t even hidden. He’s in the presence of a ruler of the Pharisees. We can safely assume there are additional leading people there as well. Jesus breaks the religious law right in front of the religious police, and he makes a pretty big deal of it.
What’s God’s attitude toward those who are suffering, those who are hurting, those who are unable to help themselves? Even on the day of rest, especially on the day of rest, Jesus gives them rest. He touches them with his healing power. He grants them forgiveness. And, yes, sometimes he heals them and tells them to go ahead and carry their bed back home, even though it’s illegal to do that on the day of rest.
The God of all mercy and grace doesn’t take any days off.
What is our attitude within the Church? Do we take the day off because we don’t feel like applying God’s Word to people? Do we take the day of rest to be a time that leaves people in bondage and need? Or do we cross land and sea to bring God’s mercy and grace to those in need?
It has been my honor over the years to assist many people, clergy and laity alike, in reconciliation, in healing of relationships, in activities and encouragement that will strengthen their ability to bring honor and glory to God. It has not always been convenient. In fact, it is rarely convenient. But it is always good.
God uses his people as instruments of reconciliation. Sometimes we have to break the laws of time management, of guarding our energy, of being involved in the events we would regularly value. We go and raise our son, our ox, or our fellow believer out of the well, even on the Sabbath day. Thanks be to God that he raises up others to do the same for us when we have become entrapped. He is the God of all mercy and grace.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
In Luke 14:1-6 Jesus breaks the law. That’s all there is to it. He breaks the law. He works on the Sabbath day. It isn’t even hidden. He’s in the presence of a ruler of the Pharisees. We can safely assume there are additional leading people there as well. Jesus breaks the religious law right in front of the religious police, and he makes a pretty big deal of it.
What’s God’s attitude toward those who are suffering, those who are hurting, those who are unable to help themselves? Even on the day of rest, especially on the day of rest, Jesus gives them rest. He touches them with his healing power. He grants them forgiveness. And, yes, sometimes he heals them and tells them to go ahead and carry their bed back home, even though it’s illegal to do that on the day of rest.
The God of all mercy and grace doesn’t take any days off.
What is our attitude within the Church? Do we take the day off because we don’t feel like applying God’s Word to people? Do we take the day of rest to be a time that leaves people in bondage and need? Or do we cross land and sea to bring God’s mercy and grace to those in need?
It has been my honor over the years to assist many people, clergy and laity alike, in reconciliation, in healing of relationships, in activities and encouragement that will strengthen their ability to bring honor and glory to God. It has not always been convenient. In fact, it is rarely convenient. But it is always good.
God uses his people as instruments of reconciliation. Sometimes we have to break the laws of time management, of guarding our energy, of being involved in the events we would regularly value. We go and raise our son, our ox, or our fellow believer out of the well, even on the Sabbath day. Thanks be to God that he raises up others to do the same for us when we have become entrapped. He is the God of all mercy and grace.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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