DOING GOOD ON THE SABBATH

MATTHEW 12:9-14 NKJ 
9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him. 
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. 

Over the years, the Jewish scribes and leaders had added to God's word.  They had come up with a great many laws and regulations as to what could be done on the Sabbath, the day of rest.   

They eventually reached the place that you were not allowed to do good on the Sabbath.  This is why they stayed upset at Jesus.  He recognized that the Sabbath was not made to keep people in bondage, and He would often heal and do good on the Sabbath in defiance of this man-made law.  

So here in this passage, they were trying to trap Jesus regarding healing on the Sabbath.  And once again, Jesus turns the tables on them.  Jesus asked them if they had a sheep wouldn't they pull it out of a pit on the Sabbath.  And that a man was much more valuable than a sheep.   

Jesus established that sickness and disease were not good, similar to falling into a pit.  He also put man on a different level than animals.    

But the bottom line, doing good and healing was God's will for hurting humanity.  And God's compassion and grace are greater than man's religious laws.   

APPLICATION 

It's good to beware of those who are against doing good for people.  Thirty years ago  Joy was deathly sick with a painful disease. I was surprised at those who opposed her receiving healing.  These were believers in Jesus who did not believe He still heals today.  So instead of supporting her in her efforts to receive God's healing, they actually did not want her well, just to prove their beliefs were right.  How sad.  We ought to be for anyone getting better, period.  If we would take our dogs to the vet to give them relief, why should we get upset if someone is healed by God.   

Well, Joy did receive healing, and thirty years later, we are still rejoicing that God is good and His healing is good, and He is still healing today!   

PRAYER 

Thank You, Father.  You are good, and You do good, and Your works toward man are always good.  You don't put people into pits of pain and despair.  You pull them out.