WHAT'S THE VERDICT?  Matthew 12:9-14

What Does it Say?  The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus by asking if it is OK to heal on the Sabbath.  He asks them if they would rescue their sheep if it fell in a hole on the Sabbath, which of course they would.  People are worth more to God than sheep.  The law says it is OK to do good on the Sabbath.

What Does it Mean?  The Pharisees were looking for an excuse to get rid of Jesus. Among other things, He was making them look bad.  Jesus knew their values were not the same as God's and He called them on it and they didn't like it.  The religious leaders were the ones most responsible to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and point people toward Him; yet they were Jesus greatest opponents.  They saw the miracles He was doing, but hardened their hearts against Him. Jesus knew what they were up to; but He purposefully healed the man with the crippled hand anyway.  Jesus heals us too; we can't do anything good on our own.  God gives us the desire to do good and then He helps us do it.  Like Jesus, we will face opposition even for doing good.  Jesus called the self righteous on their misplaced values, but He healed the crippled man even when it cost Him.  Our response should be to love the needy in spite of the cost.  People were drawn to Jesus because they felt His love for them.  As followers of Jesus, we should look for ways to give a kind word, a smile, or an act of kindness to people in need of Jesus touch?  We should be more concerned about what we can give than how we will benefit.  What are you doing to love like Jesus did?  Look for opportunities to show God's love to the people you meet today.

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