One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law. “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say. (Luke 14:1-6)
In Blue Bloods’ second to the last episode, Hide in Plain Sight, young women died because of a bad batch of weight-loss drugs. The stakes were high to find the perp because more died every day. Danny brow beat a woman he suspected had dealt with the dealer. She was the “sponsor” of two young models. Since she was uncooperative because she forced drugs on the women, Danny and Baez went undercover to find the seller and eventually arrested him.
The prominent Pharisee also felt the stakes were high to get Jesus off the streets. He saw Jesus stealing his power at the temple. His techniques were not as sophisticated as Danny and Baez. He invited Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath. Also, he invited a sick parishioner and promised Jesus would heal him. Before dinner Jesus and the Pharisees sat outside on the front courtyard. The sick man, definitely not having the look of a Pharisee guest, came. I imagine Jesus laughed to himself at the hokey set up. Even though He was being treated like a criminal, Jesus acted in love. He healed the man. The Pharisees had nothing to say. Jesus’ actions were what they were looking for, evidence to have Him arrested for breaking the Sabbath law. The Pharisees knew the demise of Jesus would increase their status in the temple, so they refused to acknowledge Him for who He was.
Do we see Jesus for who he is: our Lord, Savior, and the Big Brother who loves and cares for us?
Father God, Let me know You better in my quest for discipleship. Help me seek Jesus because of Who He is. Give me someone to help on the Sabbath, a day of rest from work, set aside to heal. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
I can not imagine a Jesus that would not heal because it was the Sabbath day. What better day to show kindness and love.
Exactly, my Sabbath was full of love yesterday. Love being with family in the mountains.