DCLM Daily Manna Monday, July 4, 2022 

TOPIC:  Between Law And Love

Text:  Luke 13:11-22

KEY VERSE
“And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.”
Luke 13:14

DCLM Daily Manna Monday, July 4, 2022 MESSAGE

It is amazing how people have allowed the strict observance of the law to make them miss connection with God and people. Blinded by the legalistic demands of the law, many fail to see the true needs of others and reach out to them in love.

The Pharisees and the Jewish leaders allowed themselves to become so blinded by the law that they lost human sympathy. Jesus, in our text, was present in their synagogue on a Sabbath day. In His love for humanity, He reached out to heal a poor woman who suffered affliction for thirty-eight years. The ruler of the synagogue was infuriated by this. He preferred that she remained in her bondage than get healed on a Sabbath day. Jesus, however, saw into his hypocrisy and envy and rebuked him for it.

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How many seekers have we turned away from our churches because they failed to conform to our perceived understanding of what constitutes proper Christian dressing? How about those we condemned and failed to help just because they do not conform to our denominational practices? Blinded by religious zeal, we fail to see human needs.

We cannot be more righteous and law abiding than Jesus. Yet, He never failed to help those who truly needed it. Matthew the publican, Zacchaeus and the woman caught in adultery all received mercy and forgiveness from Him. He reached out to everyone. How we need to be like Jesus by reaching out to and connecting with people who are really in need instead of remaining restricted and tied by the dead letters of the law.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Only by love can we fulfil the law.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Genesis 11-13