9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. (Matthew 12:9-14)
Thoughts: Jesus was the healer. The Pharisees knew he wanted to help others so they tried to entrap Jesus into a contradiction of acting on the Sabbath. But Jesus was not impressed with their trap. They should not treat livestock better than they treat humans. The Sabbath, Jesus teaches involves mercy and kindness as well as rest. Instead of wanting to help the man with the hand, the Pharisees determined to kill the one who was bringing the hurt man help. Their pride was leading them into more evil than they knew. Having a listening heart to the helping Lord is important in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, may my strength be found in your mercy and grace.
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