Day 79 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; Psalm 74; Luke 6:1-11)
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED
9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:9-11 ESV)
The dog that bites his master as he gives his pet some food, the kind religious prisoner who rescues his pursuer only to be killed for his beliefs, and the compassionate Savior who heals a man’s withered hand all have something in common. They proved that, many times, no good deed goes unpunished.
“Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Jesus has compassion on a man whose life and livelihood were greatly hampered by his withered hand. The only problem, in the eyes of His enemies, was that the Lord did this “work” on the Sabbath. His kind miracle filled them with anger and with a desire to get back at Him. His kindness would not go unpunished if they had anything to say about it.
They certainly had plenty to say!
“Crucify him... His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 23:23-25)
Jesus’ good deed of healing on the Sabbath did not go unpunished. As unfair as this is, it was all part of God the Father’s plan for our salvation. Thank God our kind and compassionate Jesus was punished on the cross for us!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for healing the withered hand on the Sabbath, showing Your divinity. Thank You even more for healing my sin-withered soul. Regardless of how some may be negatively rewarded for acts of kindness, please guide me and empower me to continue to serve You by sharing Your kindness with others. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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