Title: Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
Theme: Jesus placed the needs of people above the rules. Proper 16 (21) Yr. C
Objects: None is needed.
Scripture: "This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn't it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?" Luke 13:16 (NLT)
To help you understand the importance of today's lesson, I want everyone to stand up. Stand nice and straight. Now, bend at your waist until you are looking straight down at the floor. That isn't extremely uncomfortable, is it? You could easily stay bent over like that for a few minutes, but what if you had to stay bent over like that all the time? What if you had to stay bent over like that day after day and year after year for eighteen years? That would be quite a different story, wouldn't it? What if you went to the store and you needed something from the top shelf? You could not even see the top shelf, much less reach the items on that shelf! You would have to depend on someone to find and get the items you needed.
In today's Bible reading, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath when he saw a woman who was crippled. She had been bent over double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over to him, touched her and said, "Woman, you are healed!" Instantly she could stand up straight. She was so happy that she began to praise God!
You would think that everyone in the synagogue that day would be happy and join the woman in praising God. Not so! The leader in charge of the synagogue was very angry that Jesus had healed the woman on the Sabbath day. He told the crowd, "There are six days of the week for working. Come on those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath."
Jesus answered the leader of the synagogue, "You hypocrite! All of you work on the Sabbath! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey and lead it out for water? Doesn't this dear woman deserve to be healed, even on the Sabbath?" The leader was shamed, but the other people were happy and rejoiced at all of the wonderful things that Jesus did.
Jesus knew that rules are important, but he knew that the needs of people are more important. You and I need to learn that lesson as well. Whenever we see someone in need, the most important thing is to help them, no matter when or where it may be.
Father, help us to follow the example that Jesus has set for us. Help us to place the needs of others ahead of any rules we may have. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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