Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – November 15, 2017

Today’s readings: Lamentations 2:8-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Matthew 12:1-14

“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

That is a real question! I once left the church after the police searched from top to bottom to find the mystery person who was lurking around the building while I was studying. Seven police officers and two K-9s worked to make sure no one was in the building who was not supposed to be there. It is an unlawful act and they were searching for the miscreant; law says who can and cannot be there at that time.

Jesus questioned those who would use the law to inhibit those with withered hands, blinded eyes, and broken bodies from entering temple; it was thought that those with afflictions such as these were cursed and not welcome in God’s presence and not allowed to enter the temple.

Jesus answered his own question by healing hands that were no longer useful. The greater healing that took place was that the man was, according to the law, able to return to the temple. The amazing gift to the man and the mystery to us all is that the temple, Christ, who has all authority on heaven and earth came to the man as he comes to us in our baptism.

Prayer: O God, help us to abide in you as you abide in us, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Melinda H. Jones, Pastor of Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Charleston, SC.

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