“Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’”
Luke 6:9
In His law God commands us to rest for our own good. Jesus, the Son of God, shows us that rest is not merely idleness and can be used for others’ good. There are times to rest, but there are times to offer that rest to others when it is within our power to do so. We cannot heal as Jesus did, but there is much we can do to ease the suffering of our neighbors.
Recently, the city in Tennessee where I live suffered a devastating tornado. Homes and businesses were flattened, and there was loss of life and livelihood. Christians volunteered on Sunday to remove debris and offer relief. Those around us were in need. To stay at home and watch television because it was “not a work day for us” would have been an indulgence and not obedience at all.
For Jesus, to heal was not even work. He could perform miracles effortlessly. But He did suffer pain and afflictions on the cross to grant us relief from sin and death. Following Him, we surely can suffer inconvenience and offer relief to our neighbors, even on our day of rest.
Recently, the city in Tennessee where I live suffered a devastating tornado. Homes and businesses were flattened, and there was loss of life and livelihood. Christians volunteered on Sunday to remove debris and offer relief. Those around us were in need. To stay at home and watch television because it was “not a work day for us” would have been an indulgence and not obedience at all.
For Jesus, to heal was not even work. He could perform miracles effortlessly. But He did suffer pain and afflictions on the cross to grant us relief from sin and death. Following Him, we surely can suffer inconvenience and offer relief to our neighbors, even on our day of rest.
Scripture Focus
Luke 6:1-10
Insight
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 63-64
- Psalm 102
- Acts 26
