Daily Living: A Life Of Worship

"Today's Devotion" For June 22, 2005

Read: Matthew 12:9-14; Psalm 8

DAILY LIVING: A LIFE OF WORSHIP

"...what is man that You are mindful of him, the Son of Man that You care for Him?" (Ps. 8:4)

If it wasn't so tragic it would be great slapstick humor. In our Gospel reading for today we get a glimpse of the futility of the Pharisees to comprehend Jesus' ministry and purpose for coming into the world. What we read is another act in their continuing attempts to trap Jesus into saying or doing something, anything, which could be considered either contrary to God's Law or in violation of man's law. It's not too difficult to see strong parallels between how the world tests and tries the faith and life of God's people today, with the attempts to get Jesus to make a "mistake." In the ongoing "saga" of the bumbling, unbelieving Pharisees, we are taken to a synagogue. It's a place one would expect mercy and love to prevail under any and all circumstances. It's also the place where the Pharisees decided to really go all out to trap Jesus.

The Pharisees, earlier in this chapter, had been complaining to Jesus that His disciples were working on the Sabbath. They'd been picking some heads of grain and eating them. By the strict standards of the ceremonial law and the rabbinical understanding of that law, the disciples, despite their hunger, were in violation. As with so many things in life, the Pharisees were holding to a "this is the way we do things around here and don't you forget it" mindset. It didn't matter to them that there might be extenuating circumstances that made such rigidity foolish and unloving. Rules are rules, and rules are not made to be broken. In the face of the rigidity and legalism, Jesus addresses the issue, pointing out to them that the Sabbath was given for Man's benefit by a merciful and gracious God. It was intended to give human beings a time of rest and refreshment, both physically and spiritually, but not to be a hindrance to things that were necessary for life and living. By approaching the Sabbath with their many rules and regulations, they were turning it into a burden rather than a gift of God's grace. So, when we get to this circumstance where Jesus has an opportunity to heal another human being, it really shouldn't be a surprise that such an act of mercy and love was also subjected to their derision and ire.

While it's easy to find ourselves focusing on the issue of what the Sabbath is and what God finds allowable on the Sabbath, it's not the real essence or meaning behind Jesus' words. More important than the question of what constitutes "working on the Sabbath" is the question of what it means to show mercy and love others. When we look at the Pharisees we see people not unlike ourselves at times. How many times don't we value form over substance in our endeavors. Christians are prone to such living because we seek to do God's Will and walk according to His Word. Having a set of guidelines and rules which help us define our behavior and "keep us from sinning," is at the heart of this challenge to the true meaning of the Sabbath and living in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. This attitude plays into the very real human concept that the only way anyone's going to get to heaven is by perfectly obeying God's Law. For the Pharisees, and for many people today, this is the only way anyone could expect to please God and get to heaven. Paying lip service to the notable exceptions to the Sabbath rules, such as pulling a sheep out of a pit (since a sheep was essential to a family's livelihood), the Sabbath rules of the rabbis forbade almost everything else that be construed as being "work." According to today's account in Matthew, this prohibition was applied even to healing a human being.

While God's Law calls for mercy, man's law seeks control. Jesus' words and actions put things into perspective for us. Our greatest good work is to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. God's mercy has shown us the way to do so, as He sent Jesus to redeem us from Sin and restore us to our heavenly Father. As we have received His mercy, so also do we share that mercy, gladly and willing. As we live our lives of faith, sharing God's love, grace and mercy in Christ with the world we live out what the Sabbath was intended to be - a time of spiritual healing and worship of which there can be no greater example than being "living sacrifices," which is the essential nature of the worship of God (Rom. 12:1). In Christ's example we don't bear a heavy burden but a joyful opportunity to share His grace, mercy, and love with others. We're called to exercise God's mercy for us as we touch the lives of others. As we have received mercy, so also do we share it. It's a marvelous and wonderful blessing of God's love and a precious gift given to us in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, being merciful as You have been merciful to me is often the most difficult thing I need to do. I'm not so far removed from the Pharisees. I really do have the tendency to see others squirm as I tell them I'm right and they're not. There is no doubt in my mind that I can be so much like the Pharisees, that I am willing to put burdens upon others that You don't even put on them; burdens I wouldn't find acceptable for myself. As You have been merciful to me, help me to be merciful to others. Let me be guided by Your Word and Spirit to live a life of love and mercy toward others that they may see You through me and come to know You and Your salvation directly. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.