The woman set free from her aliment praises God while the
synagogue ruler standing up straight is actually quite bent over by the rules
and regulations he is so keen on keeping. This daughter of Abraham knew her
need and for eighteen years had endured the stares and whispers of those whose
religious perspective placed the blame squarely on her shoulders. Bad things
happen to bad people. This son of Abraham holding a position of prestige and
power had no idea that the very things he held as holy prevented him from doing
the one thing that would make him holy. God said it this way more than once, “I
desire mercy not sacrifice.” If the Sabbath is meant to return one to the place
of rest modeled by the Creator on the seventh day, then the Sabbath is meant to
reconnect one to the God who commanded that rest be observed. Jesus said it
this way more than once, “The Sabbath was meant for you. Not you for the
Sabbath.” So the Sabbath that reconnects us to the One who commanded it begins
with an attitude of care and concern for all of creation, beasts of
burdens and daughters and sons of Abraham, and everyone else for that matter,
which leads one to actions that bring healing and peace and justice seven days
a week. Or in other words: Sabbath sacrificed for mercy praises God while mercy
sacrificed for Sabbath is no rest at all.
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