Is this a day to save life or destroy it?
Sometimes we can view God as a cosmic policeman who sets up a long list of rules that we can’t keep. We think that he is just waiting to catch us out and punish us. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it was the religious leaders who acted like that in Jesus’ time. On many occasions they tried to catch him out breaking their rules. They wrongly assumed that God supported their narrow and judgemental approach to life.
On one occasion, a man in need of healing was brought to Jesus on the Sabbath. This was a day set aside to worship and focus on God. The idea was that instead of working, people would take extra time to meet with other believers and remember God’s place in their lives. But the scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders) added rule upon rule until it was virtually impossible to do everything they thought was necessary to keep God happy on this day.
When Jesus was about to heal the man who had been brought to him on this holy day the religious people frowned and scowled. They were angry that Jesus was going to break one of their rules. So,
“Jesus said to the man, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.” (Mark 3:3-4 NLT)
The leaders were so blinded by their own pride that they wouldn’t answer Jesus. He went ahead and healed the man anyway. This made them even angrier and spurred them on to want to kill him.
How tragic it is when our beliefs about God lead us to ignore people in need. Sometimes, we may be scared that we will move outside our comfort zone. Or we may be worried about other people disapproving of what we do. It may be that we have a mixed up idea about what is important to God (like the Pharisees). Jesus gives us a clear summary of God’s priorities in this story.
God is concerned about saving life not destroying it. The rules he has set in place are designed to help us live life to the full. They are also there so that we can help other people to find healing and wholeness of life in all its dimensions.
Which person do you most identify with from this story at the moment? Are you the person who needs Jesus to bring wholeness to your life? Are you a religious person standing in judgement of others in need? Or are you seeking to reflect the love and acceptance of Jesus to others?
On one occasion, a man in need of healing was brought to Jesus on the Sabbath. This was a day set aside to worship and focus on God. The idea was that instead of working, people would take extra time to meet with other believers and remember God’s place in their lives. But the scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders) added rule upon rule until it was virtually impossible to do everything they thought was necessary to keep God happy on this day.
When Jesus was about to heal the man who had been brought to him on this holy day the religious people frowned and scowled. They were angry that Jesus was going to break one of their rules. So,
“Jesus said to the man, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.” (Mark 3:3-4 NLT)
The leaders were so blinded by their own pride that they wouldn’t answer Jesus. He went ahead and healed the man anyway. This made them even angrier and spurred them on to want to kill him.
How tragic it is when our beliefs about God lead us to ignore people in need. Sometimes, we may be scared that we will move outside our comfort zone. Or we may be worried about other people disapproving of what we do. It may be that we have a mixed up idea about what is important to God (like the Pharisees). Jesus gives us a clear summary of God’s priorities in this story.
God is concerned about saving life not destroying it. The rules he has set in place are designed to help us live life to the full. They are also there so that we can help other people to find healing and wholeness of life in all its dimensions.
Which person do you most identify with from this story at the moment? Are you the person who needs Jesus to bring wholeness to your life? Are you a religious person standing in judgement of others in need? Or are you seeking to reflect the love and acceptance of Jesus to others?
posted by Peter Wilson at 1:58 PM
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