#1165. Courageous compassion (14/10/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series. Today, from Luke 14:1-6, we reflect on how, like Christ, we are called to courageous compassion.

Luke 14:1–6

To watch this devotional, select the link below:

https://youtu.be/sBRD19D2_T0

‘One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say.’ (Luke 14:1-6)

Luke 14:1–6

Here we have another example (the third and last) of Jesus breaking made-made rules regarding then Sabbath. Luke’s inclusion of another ’sabbath breaking’ incident shows that that God really wants to get our attention on something.

i. Beware of man-made rules

Firstly, we must beware constructing made-made rules that we think are God’s rules! All of us are prone to thinking that our cultural norms are better and even more godly than others’. Like the proverbial frog in the hot water, we can be blinkered to our own sin because it’s become normal. This is why we need to read God’s word habitually and prayerfully so as to allow the Spirit to show us where we are blinkered to our own sin and dead-works.

ii. Beware of picking your best bits of the Bible

The religious leaders loved to keep and force others to keep their strict view of The Sabbath. However, as we see in the next section when Jesus challenges them for pridefully taking the best places at the meal, they seem to be overlooking God’s Word in this regard:

‘Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.’ (Proverbs 25:6-7)

Proverbs 25:6–7

Likewise, we must all read, love and seek to obey all of God’s Word. If we fail to study it, we will all fall into picking our best bits whilst being ignorant of other aspects.

iii. Be involved with people in need

Jesus’ ministry is often in the public space. He mixes with lots of different sorts of people to whom He can minister. Whether it’s rebuking the religious or healing the sick, Jesus is among the people. If we are to be like Christ, and reveal Christ, we must be among people whom we are seeking to serve and help to bring to Jesus. At work, in our neighbourhood, our place of eduction… Let’s be present and filled with Jesus presence so as to show courageous compassion.

Let’s pray together

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for your example of coming into this world, for serving this world and for being among normal people. Help me to serve this world and be among the people. Fill me with your presence so as to bring your light and love to the people I meet each day. Amen.”