The woman set free
from being bent over praises God while the synagogue ruler standing up straight
remains 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 bowed shoulders. Bad things happen to bad people. The synagogue ruler, a son
of Abraham in a position of prestige and power, had no idea that the very
things he held as holy prevented him from being 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
was always meant to reconnect the created 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 is meant to lead us to act in ways 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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