Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Thursday, November 15, 2012     Back in Galilee - I Taught about the Sabbath

Page 87-88   Matthew 12:1-15; Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11

God has promised those seeking the life in Christ as their way of life that He is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. (Philippians 2:13) I am thankful for the Apostle Paul’s reminder that God is so wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient with me (Romans 2:4) because, “nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself." (Ludwig Wittgenstein) Self-deceit greatly afflicted the Pharisees. With their hundreds of rules about what could, and could not, be done on the Sabbath, they thought they were honoring God. Jesus revealed God’s heart to them when he told them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

Even though Jesus did nothing to violate the Sabbath law, he simply asked the man to extend his hand. God took it from there. However, this was yet another sign that Jesus was different. This was another sign that Jesus was ushering in a new way of living. God’s Kingdom was bursting into their world, and the establishment was not happy about change. While they would have been horrified to be charged with going against God, nevertheless, they were very uncomfortable surrendering control of their environment to Jesus, “At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.” (Luke 6:11)

Jesus said the Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people. Jesus did not mean the Sabbath was made to meet what I think are my needs. The Sabbath was made by God to meet what God knows are my deepest needs. The more that I allow God to reveal to me my deepest needs, the more His wonderful Sabbath will be healing for my brokenness.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Friday, November 16, 2012 I Chose the Twelve & People Came from Everywhere         

Page 91-92   Matthew 10:1b-4, 12:16-23; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-19