Healing on the Sabbath

Covenant with God

Signs of God's Covenant

Sabbath Observance

Matthew 12:9-14 The Message 

9-10 When Jesus left the field, he entered their meeting place. There was a man there with a crippled hand. They said to Jesus, “Is it legal to heal on the Sabbath?” They were baiting him.
11-14 He replied, “Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn’t, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!” Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out and it was healed. The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus.

For Reflection

So, what is acceptable activity on the Sabbath?  In our house rest was taken literally.  I remember as a child begging my parents to do anything on Sunday but sleep and read the paper.  Sometimes they would give in and take me to get some ice cream or go for a drive in the country.

But that was the1950s.  Today the business climate, and cultural diveristy has changed.  Some Christians work on Sunday, their traditional Sabbath. So how does a Christian both honor the Sabbath and fulfill the Sabbath requirements?

It doesn't matter what day one designates as a Sabbath day. It only matters that one spends some time resting in the the presence of God.  It matters that one takes time away from the circumstance of his or her existence to feed one's soul.  It matters that one recharges one's spiritual life so that his secular life is not corrupted. How one chooses to do that and when is not nearly as important than recreating a spiritual life in the fellowship of believers.

Pray
Pray alone, outside of the watchful eyes of others.  Pray with your voice, your thought, and your action.  Pray so that your soul will find relief from the pressures of an harassing world.