Key Passage
Jesus left that place and went into their synagogue. In the synagogue there was a man with a crippled hand. Some Jews there were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of doing wrong. So they asked Jesus, "Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?"
— Matthew 12:9-10 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Isn't it amazing how distorted our perspective can become when we are motivated by hatred and opposition! Jesus goes to worship and finds a man with physical problems. This is totally unsurprising. Jesus' habit was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus always found and/or attracted those with all sorts of needs. Jesus, out of compassion, met those needs when appropriate.Instead of going to the synagogue to worship God or study the Torah, Jesus' opponents went to accuse and trap him in controversy. They had not only abdicated the will of God for the Sabbath by their legalistic rules, but they also had lost their hearts because of hatred of Jesus. Jesus' emphasis on the necessity of being right with each other so that God will not reject our worship suddenly seems keenly relevant!
Prayer
God Almighty, Creator, and King, forgive me when my times of worship mock you because I have other things, petty things, bitter things, evil things toward others on my heart. Please forgive me, Lord, for being uncharitable and unforgiving. Please remove from me the evil and cynical heart that so permeates the age and create in me a heart more like your Son Jesus. In Jesus' name, and by his grace, I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
"So when you offer your gift to God, think about other people. If you are offering your gift before the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, then leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person. Then come and offer your gift.
— Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue like he always did. Jesus stood up to read. The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. Jesus opened the book and found the place where this is written: "The Spirit of the Lord (God) has come to me. God chose me to tell good news to people that are poor. God sent me to tell people who are prisoners that they are free, and to tell the blind people that they can see again. God sent me to free the weak people from their suffering and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness." Jesus closed the book. He gave the book back to the helper and sat down. Every person in the synagogue watched Jesus closely. Jesus began to speak to them. He said, "While you heard me reading these words just now, the words were coming true!"
— Luke 4:16-21
We love because God first loved us.
— 1 John 4:19
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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Jesus left that place and went into their synagogue. In the synagogue there was a man with a crippled hand. Some Jews there were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of doing wrong. So they asked Jesus, "Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?"
— Matthew 12:9-10 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Isn't it amazing how distorted our perspective can become when we are motivated by hatred and opposition! Jesus goes to worship and finds a man with physical problems. This is totally unsurprising. Jesus' habit was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus always found and/or attracted those with all sorts of needs. Jesus, out of compassion, met those needs when appropriate.Instead of going to the synagogue to worship God or study the Torah, Jesus' opponents went to accuse and trap him in controversy. They had not only abdicated the will of God for the Sabbath by their legalistic rules, but they also had lost their hearts because of hatred of Jesus. Jesus' emphasis on the necessity of being right with each other so that God will not reject our worship suddenly seems keenly relevant!
Prayer
God Almighty, Creator, and King, forgive me when my times of worship mock you because I have other things, petty things, bitter things, evil things toward others on my heart. Please forgive me, Lord, for being uncharitable and unforgiving. Please remove from me the evil and cynical heart that so permeates the age and create in me a heart more like your Son Jesus. In Jesus' name, and by his grace, I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
"So when you offer your gift to God, think about other people. If you are offering your gift before the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, then leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person. Then come and offer your gift.
— Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue like he always did. Jesus stood up to read. The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. Jesus opened the book and found the place where this is written: "The Spirit of the Lord (God) has come to me. God chose me to tell good news to people that are poor. God sent me to tell people who are prisoners that they are free, and to tell the blind people that they can see again. God sent me to free the weak people from their suffering and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness." Jesus closed the book. He gave the book back to the helper and sat down. Every person in the synagogue watched Jesus closely. Jesus began to speak to them. He said, "While you heard me reading these words just now, the words were coming true!"
— Luke 4:16-21
We love because God first loved us.
— 1 John 4:19
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
