“…on another Sabbath a man there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he stood. Then Jesus said, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” And when He had looked around, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and HIS HAND WAS RESTORED WHOLE. But THEY WERE FILLED WITH RAGE, AND DISCUSSED WITH ONE ANOTHER WHAT THEY MIGHT DO TO JESUS.” (Luke 6:6-11) Clearly Jesus was doing things on the Sabbath that irritated the scribes and Pharisees. Things He shouldn’t have been doing according to a particular reading of the Torah. Who was authorizing what Jesus was doing? The fundamental question was the question Jesus asked: Is it lawful to good on the Sabbath?
The debate was about empathy and compassion versus placing religious observance and ritual over caring for others. The debate was about putting God before any religious observance. You know, what Jesus taught, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33) Just a short time ago “…THEY WERE ALL AMAZED and spoke …with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the report about Him went out INTO EVERY PLACE IN THE REGION.” (Luke 4:36-37)
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR, RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU…
-Bill Stockham