Key Passage
"The Son of Man is Lord (ruler) over the Sabbath day."
— Matthew 12:8 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
There was no more important symbol or source of identity for the Jewish people than the Sabbath. Rules, laws, traditions, and respect grew up around the original Law and encrusted it with layers of a combination of inconsequential, restrictive, and harmful traditions. So when Jesus takes on his opponents over the issue of the Sabbath, we shouldn't be surprised by their bitter opposition and hostile criticism. As Jewish self-identity became fused to the Sabbath, the traditions and attachments to it became more important for the religious aristocracy than the people who celebrated Sabbath or even than the reasons God provided a rest for his people and demanded that the Sabbath be honored. Like a bolt of thunder, Jesus' simple words, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath," would have raised their confrontation and hatred of him to a fevered pitch. He drove them to the point of decision. He left them no option but to believe or scheme to get rid of him. They chose the latter. What do we choose? Are we ready to let him redefine the heart and hope of our worship?
Prayer
Holy God, I thank you so much for sending Jesus. I want him to be Lord of every area of my life, especially my understanding of your desire for worship and community. As I continue to read and learn from him, inform my heart through your Spirit to better know him and be conformed into his likeness. You sacrificed so much; help me to hold back nothing as I seek to live for him. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
The woman said, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship." Jesus said, "Believe me, woman! The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on that mountain to worship the Father (God). You Samaritans worship something that you don't understand. We Jews understand what we worship. Salvation comes from the Jews. The time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. That time is now here. And those are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So the people that worship God must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said, "I know that the Messiah is coming." (Messiah is the One called Christ. ) "When the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus said, "That person is talking to you now. I am {the Messiah}."
— John 4:19-26
The kind of religion (worship) that God accepts is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's {evil} influence. This is the kind of religion (worship) that God accepts as pure and good.
— James 1:27
So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God.
— Romans 12:1
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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"The Son of Man is Lord (ruler) over the Sabbath day."
— Matthew 12:8 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
There was no more important symbol or source of identity for the Jewish people than the Sabbath. Rules, laws, traditions, and respect grew up around the original Law and encrusted it with layers of a combination of inconsequential, restrictive, and harmful traditions. So when Jesus takes on his opponents over the issue of the Sabbath, we shouldn't be surprised by their bitter opposition and hostile criticism. As Jewish self-identity became fused to the Sabbath, the traditions and attachments to it became more important for the religious aristocracy than the people who celebrated Sabbath or even than the reasons God provided a rest for his people and demanded that the Sabbath be honored. Like a bolt of thunder, Jesus' simple words, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath," would have raised their confrontation and hatred of him to a fevered pitch. He drove them to the point of decision. He left them no option but to believe or scheme to get rid of him. They chose the latter. What do we choose? Are we ready to let him redefine the heart and hope of our worship?
Prayer
Holy God, I thank you so much for sending Jesus. I want him to be Lord of every area of my life, especially my understanding of your desire for worship and community. As I continue to read and learn from him, inform my heart through your Spirit to better know him and be conformed into his likeness. You sacrificed so much; help me to hold back nothing as I seek to live for him. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
The woman said, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship." Jesus said, "Believe me, woman! The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on that mountain to worship the Father (God). You Samaritans worship something that you don't understand. We Jews understand what we worship. Salvation comes from the Jews. The time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. That time is now here. And those are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So the people that worship God must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said, "I know that the Messiah is coming." (Messiah is the One called Christ. ) "When the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus said, "That person is talking to you now. I am {the Messiah}."
— John 4:19-26
The kind of religion (worship) that God accepts is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's {evil} influence. This is the kind of religion (worship) that God accepts as pure and good.
— James 1:27
So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God.
— Romans 12:1
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
