SAME TUNE, DIFFERENT WORDS
Matthew 12:9-10, 13-14
“Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ – that they might accuse Him …. And he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.”
It was the same tune with different words. The Pharisees had just heard Jesus teach them that mercy was better than sacrifice (vs. 7). But they were so wrapped up in their legalism that they did not hear what He said. So when Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath, they were incensed and wanted to kill Jesus. Doing good to the lame man violated their religious piety. They were religious but had no understanding of mercy. The bottom line was that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath (vs. 12b). O Lord Jesus Christ, give me Your heart of mercy that transcends my piety. Help me to get my priorities right and value people like You do (vs. 12a).
TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: Mercy trumps piety.
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Have a “doing good” day. Love you.
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