PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 3:1-6
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil….” (Mark 3:4)
Do any of God’s laws prohibit doing good for others?
Goodness is God’s original plan, the ‘very good’ of creation restored. (Genesis 1:31)
Jesus saves us SO THAT we can live good lives again… every day of the week!
Consider how many times Paul urges Titus to focus on doing what is good:
— “Set them an example by doing what is good.” (Titus 2:7)
— “A people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:14)
— “To be ready to do whatever is good.” (Titus 3:1)
— “Careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” (Titus 3:8)
— “To devote themselves to doing what is good.” (Titus 3:14)
As a Jesus follower, I am set free from the curse of the Law.
No longer burdened by guilt and failure, I am free to do whatever good I can, whenever I can.
Not to earn God’s love, but because I am loved, and eager to share that love.
I am not bound to one day of doing good, but set free to do good everyday!
How can I bless, serve, share or care? — this is what the Sabbath is pointing to.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to look for ways to do good to others today. May the creation experience a little more goodness today, because of you in me.
“Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.”
As a believer what should I be doing – since God’s grace/Sabbath has been given to me. I must answer and say that I am here to save life – not to condemn or kill it! It’s easy to make excuses – and not do that. Lord open my eyes to see the opportunities you present to me. Help me to serve – to help!
Jesus sets an an example by going to the synagogue to be with those who desire to worship. It is good that the people come together this way to praise God and encourage one another. Love God. Love mankind. The great commands. But while there He noticed the man. We too come to church with our ‘withered hand’ and need His healing. But we come as we are. He came to serve and so must I. Do good to all the members of the household. Be good doers for that is serving. I need to be an instrument of His peace every day.
1 Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your healing power,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2 Make me a channel of your peace:
where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light,
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3 O, Spirit, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
4 Make me a channel of your peace:
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.