Journal Entry by Ethan Mortomore

S – Scripture: Luke 14.1-6 (ESV)
“One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.” “And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?" And they could not reply to these things.”

O - Observation
The Sabbath was an extremely important day to the Jewish People. A day of rest and focus on God and all He had done for them, individually but also collectively as a nation - a way of keeping their covenant with God (Exodus 20).
But the Sabbath had become a day filled with rights and wrongs, so legalistic in its keeping that the focus was no longer on God but on self. Jesus, knowing He is being watched closely by the Pharisees, looking for any time He might slip up, challenges their hearts and the pride that they had let build up inside.

A - Application
This passage reveals a saviour who has not come to be held back by the rules we place on ourselves or others. Rather Christ has come to set people free from the things that shackle and hold them down, and our role? Is to play a part. The Pharisees were meant to be guides and helpers for God’s people, but instead they got in Jesus’ way of bringing healing and restoration. For us love must be greater than legalism, and bringing forth His kingdom here on earth must be greater than our needs or pride.

P - Prayer
God would you always remind us to realign our focus with you, day in and day out. Would I be a servant that doesn’t get in the way of furthering your kingdom but instead plays a part in bringing the Gospel to those who need it (to everyone). Lead us in the path you have for us Lord, that we may be your hands and feet always. Amen.