Jim Mayo

Matthew 12:9-14

He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked them, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep? So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him.

Reflection:

How often have we seen a rule or law, drafted with the best of intentions, become something else, something that hurts those it was intended to help? “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.”

We do love our days off. For many, it’s more than one day a week. But, the whole setting aside one day for worship, for determining our purpose, for reflecting on how we fit into the whole “on earth as it is in Heaven” thing? We’re not nearly as diligent about that observance. While the concept of the Sabbath began in Genesis, the rules of observance by Jesus’s time were being endlessly debated and changed. Jesus warns in Mark, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes … be greeted with respect in the marketplace … they have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets … they will receive the greater condemnation.” The question asked that day of Jesus was not asked in good faith, of course but was merely intended to provide more “evidence” in their conspiracy against him. His response, tinged with righteous anger, questioned whether they believed a man to be more valuable than a sheep, given the exception allowed for the latter.

Jesus restored the right hand of a stonemason; a man whose hands were his livelihood. In doing so, he restored the man’s work, his dignity, and his ability to provide for his family. That there would even be a question about the legality demonstrates how far removed the church leaders were from God’s law. Jesus warns in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

When we find a barrier between ourselves and God–it’s always of our own making. Sabbath rest invites us to break down those barriers and to seek Jesus’ healing touch in our lives. The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath. 

Prayer:

Lord, I ask for discernment in recognizing truth and strength to reject teachings that are unfaithful to the truth of your love. Help me to acknowledge the barriers that I’ve placed between us so that they can come down. I desire to be near to you, God. Amen.