Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Luke 13:14, “But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.'”

Background

Jesus was teaching in the synagogue that Saturday. We’re left to wonder what He was teaching about until He sees a lady who undoubtedly could not go unnoticed. She probably came to the service much like she usually did each week, slowly walking in with her body doubled over, unable to straighten up and look anyone in the eye. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to the front of the crowd to teach a lesson that some were not ready to receive. He put His hands on her and spoke, and immediately her body was well, and she glorified God. But that didn’t sit too well with the guy in charge of the synagogue. He was so offended by the healing that just occurred that he stood up in front of everyone and demanded that no one is to be healed on the Sabbath day again. No one. Absolutely no work is to be done on the Sabbath. Everyone is expected to be in the synagogue, learning about God, and honoring Him by doing nothing. And that made sense to him.

Application

But before we scoff at how badly Jesus blasted him for being a hypocrite, consider how we might be hearing the teaching but learning something completely different. Are you able to hear the message of grace from God but struggle to see how certain people get to receive it? Do we somehow feel that there are those that don’t deserve grace? Do you hear Jesus offering full forgiveness of sins and cleansing from the unrighteousness that holds you, but then refuse to believe that He could forgive you, or someone else, for that horrible thing you’ve done? Do you hear God’s message of unconditional love and complete acceptance, but still feel compelled to try to stay on God’s good side by what you can do? Jesus is speaking to our hearts to be fully committed to Him, following Him in everything we do, and think. But we often times think He’s the one off target, that we need to remind Him what happens and doesn’t happen on the Sabbath. Resist that urge. Take Him at His word. Receive exactly what He says, the teaching that He has for you.

Charge

As we seek Him today, don’t let yourself twist His message for you into something that’s not what He meant but is easier to swallow. Hear Him clearly because you are listening to what He says.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words