+ Jesus came to make things right: to
make things right morally, and to make them right in other ways too. Since he
was truly Lord God of Creation, he had power over nature and could restore what
had become less than functional, for any reason. And so, as he did many times,
in front of the scribes and Pharisees he makes two points at once today: his
mastery over the physical world, and the spiritual: by curing the man with a
withered hand, in the synagogue, on a Sabbath! The statement Jesus made
beforehand makes clear his summation of the lesson he wanted to teach: the
Sabbath is not less important for the doing of good, saving life, than would
occur on any other day of the week! We must not postpone a good deed because of
a ritualistic law?
Jesus then does his deed of
miraculous healing and the Pharisees are enraged and resume their plotting
against him for being a rabble-rouser, some kind of a magician, and blasphemer
– doing things in the name of God that are only reserved for God himself – and
breaking ritual law while he’s doing them.
When faced with the
compassionate, simple, kind, authoritative healing power of Jesus, many feel
threatened, because it seems too simple, too kind and too out of touch with the
way life really is: harsh, unforgiving, demanding.
Jesus, you are our gentle and
loving shepherd, with all kinds of miraculous powers available to provide
comfort and health to any who ask for it! May we hear your voice this day, and
follow you wherever you go, and rely on you to lead us always in right paths!
Lead
me in your justice, Lord.
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