Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Is it Unlawful to Do Good?"
March 9, 2017
But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:11, ESV)
Read Luke 6:6-11
The opposition against Jesus is mounting-neighbors from Nazareth and the devil with his demonic army. Now two new enemies join the fray.
The scribes have spent centuries copying Old Testament scrolls, which teach God's Law to show us why we need His promised Savior. But they have distorted that word: teaching that heaven can be earned with less-than-perfect lives. Sitting with the scribes are their disciples the Pharisees, who dedicate themselves to live by these teachings and traditions.
In the synagogue sits a man whose right hand is withered and useless. What will Jesus do? Scribal traditions forbid any work on the Sabbath, even healing a man's withered hand. So the scribes and Pharisees silently watch to see if Jesus will break their Sabbath rules.
Jesus calls the man to stand, dramatically drawing everyone's attention. Then He turns to the scribes and asks, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" He exposes the hypocrisy of their tradition that would forbid Him to use His powers to end someone's suffering just because it is the Sabbath. Looking around at them, He lets His point sink in. Jesus then tells the man, "Stretch out your hand," and his hand is completely restored.
The scribes and Pharisees are furious. Jesus clearly broke the spirit of their Sabbath tradition, but by the letter of their law they have no charge to bring against Him. Nobody thought to write a law forbidding a man to stretch out his hand.
THE PRAYER: Almighty God, Jesus' enemies grew furious when He showed concern for a man who was hurting. Forgive my cold, unfeeling heart toward those suffering around me, and help me flee to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray His Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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