Monday
So here is an interesting thought about what the Pharisees think should be allowed to happen on the Sabbath. On the one hand they say – it is terrible that Jesus would heal someone, but at the same time, they think it is perfectly alright for them to plot to kill Jesus.
Jesus even asks the question, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath; to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (vs 4). But did you see, Jesus defiantly heals the man right in front of them. It’s because Jesus answered the question and he knew what choice they would make. They were so full of self-righteousness, and legalism that they didn’t even see the irony in what they were doing. But Jesus did. He knew.
Here was something else that I noticed about our reading today. Who did the crowds follow? Jesus and his disciples or the Pharisees? It would seem that they are choosing to follow life, not death.
After Jesus chooses his twelve, the teachers of the law are at it again. And once again, they aren’t making any sense. Why would they even think that His goodness is driven by Satan? Dumb, I just think they are dumb.
So which side would you choose? Life with Jesus, or death with Satan? Doesn’t seem like a very difficult choice, yet why are people so hesitant to make that choice? Do they, do we think there is another choice? Somewhere down the middle? What does Jesus say about that? Read Revelation 3:14-21, you’ll see the answer.
Blessings
Pastor Kathy