Fasting Devotion Day 12
READ
“Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 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. 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? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Matthew 12:9-14 NKJV
THINK
The Pharisees and the Sadducees (the religious leaders during Jesus' time) were trying to get Jesus in trouble so they could turn him over to the authorities. So they pointed out a man in the crowd with a disfigured hand and tested Jesus, asking if He would be willing to heal someone on the Sabbath (when any work was prohibited).
Jesus, fully aware of their wicked hearts, took the opportunity to show the crowd that NOTHING would keep him from his task of reaching the lost. Until Jesus arrived on the scene, this man had been overlooked, teased and ignored. However, Jesus had bigger plans for his life.
1.How often do you defend those who have no one to defend them? Or reach out to those who are persecuted, or completely ignored? What can you do this week to grow in your love for the hurting around you?
2. What are some of the “church” or “religious” traditions that you find yourself holding on to? What things bother you sometimes about faith that maybe aren’t really that big of a deal? What can you do to keep the main thing the main thing?
PRAY
Today join me in praying for practical chances to be Jesus to someone. Pray for an opportunity to reach out to someone who needs it, and a chance to share a little bit of Christ-like love. And remember, when you see that opportunity, grab it right away – Jesus did.
“Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 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. 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? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Matthew 12:9-14 NKJV
THINK
The Pharisees and the Sadducees (the religious leaders during Jesus' time) were trying to get Jesus in trouble so they could turn him over to the authorities. So they pointed out a man in the crowd with a disfigured hand and tested Jesus, asking if He would be willing to heal someone on the Sabbath (when any work was prohibited).
Jesus, fully aware of their wicked hearts, took the opportunity to show the crowd that NOTHING would keep him from his task of reaching the lost. Until Jesus arrived on the scene, this man had been overlooked, teased and ignored. However, Jesus had bigger plans for his life.
1.How often do you defend those who have no one to defend them? Or reach out to those who are persecuted, or completely ignored? What can you do this week to grow in your love for the hurting around you?
2. What are some of the “church” or “religious” traditions that you find yourself holding on to? What things bother you sometimes about faith that maybe aren’t really that big of a deal? What can you do to keep the main thing the main thing?
PRAY
Today join me in praying for practical chances to be Jesus to someone. Pray for an opportunity to reach out to someone who needs it, and a chance to share a little bit of Christ-like love. And remember, when you see that opportunity, grab it right away – Jesus did.