There is none like God,
who rides through the heavens to our help.
(adapted from Deuteronomy 33:26)
Deuteronomy 33:1-29
At the end of his life, at the end of their journey through the wilderness, Moses bids farewell. He reminds them of all that God has done for them and tells them what to expect in their new home.
Luke 13:1-21
The religious leader was indignant that this person would openly violate an essential requirement. The accused, the one we call Lord, pointed out the hypocrisy.
Notice that Jesus isn't saying that the sabbath is unimportant. Rather, he's pointing out its importance adds to the significance of healing the woman who has been crippled for almost two decades. As Sharon Ringe puts it in her commentary on Luke: "The core question is not whether to keep the sabbath, but rather how to keep it, and specifically, how keeping the day "holy" to God...."
Also note that the woman did not approach Jesus asking him for help. Rather, he saw her, called her over, healed her.
Which religious rules are we keeping but in the wrong way? Do we wait for people to come to us for help, or are we watching for opportunities to give help?
Further note the woman's reaction. As soon as she was healed, she began praising God. Do we remember to be grateful to the source of our gifts?
Psalm 78:65-72
Proverbs 12:25
Prayer for Today: O Lord, as we remember Jesus' healing the crippled woman on the Sabbath, help us to discren which commandments we are able to keep by braking. Amem
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