Word for the day by Christian Education O

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FULLNESS OF HUMANITY IN CHRIST
Bible Reading:  Luke 13:10-17
Vs12 :And Jesus,seeing her,called her to Him and said to her, woman, you are released from your infirmity

DEVOTION

  This passage narrates the story of Jesus healing a woman who was crippled for eighteen years. This portion gives us a deep insight into the concept of compassion and mercy – the nature of true rest -  a rest  that is more restorative and deeper. It also depicts the conflict between religious law and the human need, and the divine character of Jesus the son of God.
Let us consider an overview of  salient points:
1.COMPASSION AND HEALING:   Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a sabbath day. During the sermon, he noticed  a woman bent over and unable to stand straight. Jesus called her forward, demonstrated his compassion and willingness to address her bondage.  This is in contrary to the normal picture where a sufferer comes to Jesus asking for a deliverance. Here we see Jesus's compassionate look at a destitute in bondage and pain,  ending in healing  and setting her free from her infirmity.
2.HUMAN NEED AND SABBATH: Jesus's action brought negative responses from the religious leaders. Synagogue leader  became angry and warns Jesus that healing should not happen on Sabbath. Jesus responded  by stressing the fact that mercy and compassion to human suffering should take precedence over interpretation of Law. He brought forward  their hypocrisy in prioritizing the need of an animal to a human.
3.TRUE REST GIVEN BY THE LORD:  Healing this woman in bondage, Lord restored
her physical disability and liberated her from spiritual bondage. Jesus here, exemplifies what true rest should look like, bringing wholeness and restoration to those in need.
4.REJECTION AND TRIUMPH:  Angry synagogue leader  was a sign of resistance
to Jesus's  message and mission and a new interpretation of the laws of the Kingdom of heaven.  Joy and freedom the woman enjoyed as well as the crowd's positive reaction demonstrated triumph of the compassionate love in action by Jesus over rigid 
legalism.
             Jesus's authority was revealed through this action, that  His mission in this world was of healing, compassion ,love and hope. It is important to know that Jesus sees our varied circumstances, sufferings, struggles, calls us forward and shows willingness to heal and restore our lives.  We are also invited to extend same  love and compassion to others, integrating the spirit of sabbath as a day of liberation and Joy.

PRAYER

Lord forgive our inability in prioritizing the needs of the suffering others in the society , move our hearts into compassion  and love , and help us restore their lives in any way  we can. Help us ,Lord.
 
Thought for the day

  What is our response to those suffering silently in this society ,can we see them with compassion amid societal or religious constraints?

Dr.John K.Thomas  Tabor MTC
New York

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