Receive Grace
Matthew 12:8-12 “For
the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” 9 Going on from that place, he went
into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for
a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
IN verse 8 Jesus concludes his message from the Pharisees’
accusation, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
(Matt 12:2) He plainly states he has authority over the Sabbath. Mercy
overruled structures. The Lord had spoken. The matter should be settled.
But he goes to a new
place, and Matthew reports a new Sabbath question: “Is it lawful to heal on the
Sabbath?” The answer comes tomorrow, but for now let’s consider our view of
Jesus’ care for us?
Jesus, of course,
is the ultimate caregiver. He cared for his disciples, and the Pharisees accused
him. He will heal a man, and the Pharisees will be appalled. No one believes
his words that mercy is God’s desire! Or perhaps they refuse to believe his
grace.
By his grace God
formed laws to care for hungry travelers. By his grace God provided the grain
for man to eat. By his grace God sent a Savior to teach. By his grace the Son
of God taught that mercy is more important than following structured religion.
In his grace God demonstrated a new, unrelenting, incomparable love for his
people. Through his grace God has forgiven us as he graciously stirs us to
repentance.
Are we
Pharisee-like to keep asking Jesus, “Is it lawful for me to seek forgiveness,
to enjoy your love, to even have fun with you, Jesus?” Or do we remain mired in
the structures, unwilling to believe Jesus’ grace?
LIFE Link: Receive grace and live.
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