Matthew 12:9-14

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 bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 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. - Matthew 12:9-14

Dear Jesus,

The Jewish leaders had just confronted you out of envy. They overlooked your mercy. They refused to recognize you as their Savior too. You could have and should have walked the other way. But you didn't. You went straight into their synagogue and relentlessly loved them and other people in front of them. You healed that man's hand without any work. You reminded them that they would do the same if they were not beset by jealousy. You kept on loving and you knew full well it was setting up your death. They began to plot how to kill you. I'm blown away by such bold love. I want to have that love too. I know I'm not the famous healer meeting resistance because of envy, but I have resistance to my ministry to others at times. I'm prone to give up way too early. Help me not do that. Make me love beyond the limits set by the hard hearted sinners I'm trying to love. Make me forgiving and giving toward them in your name and for your glory.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Learn not to care if people criticize you for how much you care for them and you will live an impactful life.

Additional Reading: Romans 12, 1 John 4 and 5