As we move towards Easter, and Jesus is moving to the cross, we see him begin to intensify his mission of seeking and saving the lost.
Look at this story of Jesus’ encounter with a woman who has lived for years in incredible physical pain and emotional discomfort.
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Luke 13:10-17
We are all cheering Jesus on for having compassion on this poor woman. And we are all shaking our heads at the Pharisees for their sliding scale of acceptable acts of mercy. It’s fine for their livestock and business on the Sabbath, but not for this woman.
But here’s my question for us to wrestle with today: Don’t we all have instances where we extend grace to us, but not others? Don’t we all make excuses for when we are generous to some but not to others? We all have the ability to lean the scale in our direction.
Today as you fast from something for someone, ask if there’s anyone else you know who needs your grace and prayers, even if they aren’t someone you love.
Our Prayer: Father, show me who needs a touch of grace from me.