Shabbat - to DO Good
Matthew 12:9-15
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue. 10 A man there had a shriveled hand. Looking for a reason to accuse him of something, they asked him, “Is healing permitted on Shabbat?” 11 But he answered, “If you have a sheep that falls in a pit on Shabbat, which of you won’t take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, what is permitted on Shabbat is to do good.” 13 Then to the man he said, “Hold out your hand.” As he held it out, it became restored, as sound as the other one. 14 But the P’rushim (Pharisees) went out and began plotting how they might do away with Yeshua. 15 Aware of this, he left that area.
Once again there are questions about Shabbat... "What is permitted?"
I love the response that Jesus gives. "Therefore, what is permitted on Shabbat is to do good." (emphasis mine)
Jesus makes it clear that people are valuable. Jesus makes it clear that people need to be restored. He went to the synagogues and villages to help make that happen. He wanted people to be made whole.
As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, there are many man-made laws that have been established over the years that simply box people into certain ways of living. Not using a cell-phone on Shabbat has many advantages. Having a day away from technology is actually quite beneficial. However, if God places someone on your heart and you need to use a phone to call them, and when you call them you speak LIFE into them and encourage them, that is DOING GOOD. If the only day you can meet with a close friend you haven't seen in awhile and the two of you are strengthening one another as family or community should do, then why not drive on Shabbat?
I believe that if we are LISTENING to the Spirit, the Spirit will not guide us to places and events that are not from the Father. The Spirit will put us into situations where we are a BLESSING and a LIGHT, bringing LIFE to those we meet.
I hope you see what I am trying to explain... Shabbat is NOT about what you can and cannot do. Shabbat is supposed to be about having REST and PEACE and connecting with the Father first, than those around you. Look for reasons to DO GOOD and make sure that they are from HIM, than DO what He requires you to do.
Love and blessings,
Rose
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