GPS Guide – November 28, 2018

HOLY INTERRUPTION

Wednesday

Read: Luke 13:10-17

“On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.  She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.  When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”  Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.  Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”  The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?  Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.”  (NIV Luke 13:10-17)

Study: The synagogue leader was “incensed” that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. We know rabbinic rules said it was acceptable to act on the Sabbath to keep a sick person from getting worse, but unacceptable work to do anything to make the person better—a remarkable distinction! Thankfully, we no longer have those rules. Are there any customs, traditions or social barriers that you’d be incensed if God ignored? How can you remain open and flexible enough to avoid the synagogue leader‘s tragic spirit?

Pray: Lord Jesus, you healed and freed people even amidst opposition. Give me the

courage to do your work even if some people don’t want me to. Give me the wisdom to stay attuned to the ways you choose to work, even if it stretches my comfort zone.  Amen.