Friday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:15-17
15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
Commentary:
13:15–16 You hypocrites. Cf. 6:42; 12:56. Does not each of you introduces a “lesser to greater” argument in which the generally accepted practice of caring for animals on the Sabbath underscores the greater need to show such concern for a daughter of Abraham. Untie and loosed are the same word in Greek (luō).
Study Questions:
- Next he wants us to know that PEOPLE matter to God. Luke tells us that the synagogue leader was upset with Jesus for healing this poor woman. This man has no doubt seen her pain and suffering, and he's supposed to be someone that would care for his congregants! But instead of having compassion on her, he scolds the Son of God. Jesus' reaction to her is much different. When he sees her, his heart is moved with compassion for her. This synagogue leader has missed the heart of God while trying to uphold the religious rules. This can also creep into our hearts and attitudes. We can get so wrapped up in truth and the law and our convictions that we forget to have compassion and grace towards people that God loves. How have you seen this rear its ugly head in your life or in other Christians you've been around? What negative affects can it have on both people and the Faith?
- The bottom line is that OUR values need to match HIS values. Our thoughts should bend towards his thoughts. Our hearts should break for the same things that break his heart. So that begs the question, how do we accomplish this? How do we know his heart and thoughts and values? For one, he's laid them out in his Word. He demonstrated it in the life of Jesus. And he whispers it through his Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. Can you honestly say that your heart is still being shaped by God? Are you continuously bending towards him? Are your thoughts daily being replaced by his? Are you spending significant time in his Word and in prayer so that he might transform your heart?
Pray:
- That your heart would grow in compassion for others.
- That you would long to know and emulate the heart of God.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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