PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:9-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” (Matthew 12:12)
We no longer observe the sabbath today, not like we used to.
In my experience as a child, the focus of sabbath was on what we could NOT do.
As in Jesus’s day, there were debates about what constituted work.
Instead of focusing on what we can’t do, Jesus stresses what we can do.
What if we always focused on doing good, whatever we were doing?
There would be no day when we were not allowed to do those good things.
Jesus came to restore a people EAGER to do what is good (Titus 2:14)
And not just one day of the week, but every day of the week!
Every day God puts people in our path, for whom we can do something good.
A prayer for them, a positive hopeful word, the gift of time or listening.
Giving them assistance, or guidance, or offering to support them.
Every day is a day for doing something good for God and others.
If we all did this our world would reflect the ‘very good’ world He created.
And we would all experience His rest, and enjoy His gift of His goodness.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You never stopped being and doing good. May my life, and our world, more and more reflect Your goodness every day of the week!
I am reminded that even Jesus must’ve needed to moderate His responses. When He was asked questions that would have angered someone like me, like “is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath” – posed by those seeking to trap him, He responded with wisdom not snark.
“It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath”. After all, if for whatever reason you could only do good on one day, what better day?
Lord help me do good for you as if everyday is the Sabbath.
I remember as a very young boy being sent out on a Sunday morning – before church even started – to go with a local tow truck driver to rescue one of our school buses that was stuck in a snow drift in the country side. I was with that bus when it got stuck so I knew exactly where it was. My parents were always pretty strict about observing Sunday as a day of rest – but when it was needed I learned then and on other occasions that my parents did not let that stand in the way of them serving when serving needed to be done. I still dedicate as much as I can, Sunday as a day of rest and reflection – I certainly avoid all shopping etc. – things that can wait until Monday. But if it is to serve someone needing my help – I will do it – no matter what day it is.
I grew up wih Sunday rules of can nots – can not play football, can not go to the beach, can not ride a bike, can not watch TV on Sundays . . . Breaking man made rules was Sunday observance just as in Jesus’ days. Legalism.
‘Sonday’ was to commemorate God’s work of redemption in Jesus Christ. Celebrate the love of God for the people. And as part of His family I need to show that love to the people around me all the days of my life including Sundays.
Serve Him.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
2
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
3
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
And the last verse is
Serve Him, serve Him all ye little children,
In one movie I watched it was said by the teacher that, “Bad things happen when good people do nothing.” And now Jesus said, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Lord, forgive me for passing those opportunities for doing good. Holy Spirit grant me wisdom and strength to seek doing good in every opportunity wherever I am and whoever I am with whenever it is.