Tuesday, February 10, 2009

On the Sabbath

One fine Sabbath morning, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues (I guess he was invited as a guest pastor). In the back row sat a woman who was crippled and had been for 18 years. When he saw her, he called "the lovely lady in the green dress" up. When she was before him, e said, "Woman, you are free from your infirmity." She straighted up, walked around, and praised God!


Imagine how you would feel if you had witnessed this scene. I'd be sitting in the pew with my mouth open and be in utter awe! It would be something I'd never forget. But the synagogue ruler was just too stuck in the letter of the law - he was actually mad! He said, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."


Jesus narrowed his brows. "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"


He was saying that the Sabbath was the perfect day for that! All his opponents were embarrassed, but the people were delighted!

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