July 26, 2014 The Right Focus

The Right Focus

Matthew 12:13-14 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

THE human drama recorded in Scripture is limitless. Every page, it seems, shows how God mercifully offers himself to his people. And every page in stark contrast demonstrates how we strive so very, very hard to kill His loving kindness.

     Think of how the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. They were greatly opposed to Jesus apparently teaching his disciples to disobey the Lord’s commandments. Then see their response. “They plotted how they might kill Jesus.”

     What was it that caused them so much anger over Jesus’ healing that they would plot to kill him? Did they keep the Sabbath by plotting to kill? Was the Sabbath so holy Jesus couldn’t heal a man’s hand?          Where’s the logic? Where’s the law? Where’s the mercy? Where is their understanding of God?

     They were so protective of what they thought was right that they couldn’t see the righteousness of God speaking, acting and healing before their eyes. Their model of God seemed to include great judgment and wrath against those who broke the Law, but they put aside God’s salvation.

     We can get that way in the church, can’t we? We strive so hard to do what’s right we too often put aside Jesus. We kill him with our narrow focus and preconceived notions. We strive so hard to be right we forget what it is to be merciful.

     Can you heal someone with kind, encouraging words today? Can you help them see their merciful God? Can you be God’s hand of salvation?  

LIFE Link: Focus on faith, hope and love.