God's Grace

“One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things.” (Luke 14:1-6 ESV)

I have often spoken of the importance of recognizing the origins of Christianity in Judaism. I frequently offer blessings on the day we call the Sabbath, which is different from our Sunday practices. In this passage of Luke, the man who was healed has a “dropsy,” a condition in which the fluid fills the limb and causes massive swelling. Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath in front of the Pharisees. You see, the Pharisees essentially used the Sabbath to punish men. But that is not what God intended.

Jesus asked them if their son or animal fell into a well, would they not pull him or it out? They could not answer, but they knew Jesus was right. Their narrow focus and lack of seeing the big picture prevented them from seeing the idea of necessary care. They used their interpretation of the law for a predetermined purpose: to punish those who did not obey. They had so many laws, 613 to be exact, that you had to sit in the synagogue or your house and practically not do anything.

Jesus knew the Pharisees were trying to trap Him; He knew what was in their hearts; remember, Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. He could use his deity as he chose, and in this case, He chose confrontation. Jesus was telling the Pharisees that, as He said in scripture, men were not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for men. The Sabbath is meant to be a time of restoration and rest. It is about our health and welfare as well as that of others. Jesus made that clear to those with nothing better to do than discourage and punish others.

Jesus is our Lord and the Lord of the Sabbath. We are to do his work, so if something or someone needs care on a Sunday, do it. Then return home to rest and relax in the Lord.

Peace and grace!