Today’s scripture: Mark 3:1-6 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
Unbelievable!
How could anyone not want to do something good for a fellow human being, regardless of what day it is? I’m shocked and appalled that the Pharisees begrudged Jesus his miracle on the Sabbath. I wonder if maybe they were jealous.
Yes, there was a law which said to rest on the Sabbath, but this particular group of religious leaders was taking it to a ridiculous extreme. And besides, who were they to say that performing a miracle was “work” — in the human sense of the word — for Jesus at all?
As I examine my own life, I find that it sometimes has some uncomfortable parallels to the Pharisees. “Couldn’t be!” I initially thought. But, indirectly, it does.
There have been times when I’ve treated others unkindly on each of the seven days of the week. Yeah, it’s true I’ve never been in cahoots with anyone to commit murder, but still, sin is sin…
It doesn’t matter which day of the month I think an un-loving thought, or intentionally neglect to do something that I know I should do.
As for doing good, I know the Bible says, “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Genesis 2:3, KJV) But it never says he took the day off from all work (i.e. running the universe in general); just from the activity of creating. If God were ever to say for just one day, “Hmmm… I think I’ll stay on a cloud, drink nectar and read the morning news tablets all day instead of looking after my creation,” I venture a supposition that we all would not be here today due to the resulting intergalactic chaos.
I take this revelation as a reminder to myself that any (or rather, every) day is a good day to “be Jesus” to others. Yup, even on the day of worship! 😉
Thought for the day: Am I following Jesus’ example of how to treat others, or am I getting hung-up on senseless tradition?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.