Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Am I missing the point?

Are you participating in the 40 Days in the Word group studies? I know there are around 120 adults participating from the church. I continue to hear great things. I was reading yesterday in Mark 3:1-6:
Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand,  “Stand up in front of everyone.”       Then Jesus asked them,  “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”  But they remained silent.     He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man,  “Stretch out your hand.”  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6, NIV)
If you're doing the 40 Days study with us, this week you are practicing the "Picture It" method of Scripture meditation. Honesty, in this story I relate most to the Pharisees. I like rules and I like it when everyone follows the rules. God gave them the law "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy..." That ultimately further explained to mean "don't work...you need to rest."

I get that. It seems that over time the religious leaders have missed the heart of God in keeping with the letter of the law. Jesus did this all the time: a woman should be stoned for adultery - Jesus forgives. Jesus said of the 6th Commandment "Do not murder," that even anger with someone is the same as murder. Time after time Jesus turns things that we know on their heads to show us the heart of God. Jesus saw a crippled man in need, regardless of the day, and took action. 

It causes me to wonder on what other things have I missed the point?

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