This sermon proclaims Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath and in doing so demonstrates his unrivalled love.
Jesus and his disciples are criticised by the Pharisees for working on the Sabbath. Their picking of food and Jesus’ healing of a sick man are decried as flagrant breaches of God’s command to do no work on the Sabbath. This is a harsh and inaccurate application of God’s command designed to penalise Jesus & his followers.
The Pharisees have tried to shape the Sabbath, a gift of grace from God reminding us we can trust in him alone, into something to be used by them. Jesus calls them out for their hardness of heart and reminds them that he himself is the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus then demonstrated extraordinary love for this sick man, providing healing for him, knowing that this would be the moment his enemies decide to kill him.
Lord, help us to use the Sabbath as a gift of grace in the way you intended, and help us to imitate your extraordinary love & compassion for people.
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