Read Luke 6:6-11

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"

He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Reflect

Jesus knows that doing the "work" of healing the man on the Sabbath will offend the Pharisees, who strictly condemned that practice. Do you think he might even have a smile on his face when he does it, knowing the controversy and conversation it would lead to?

Respond

While Paul later warns us against flaunting our freedom in Christ, we still need to live in light of it and not be held back in our love by the most Pharisaical voices in the public square or even in the church. Ask God how you can live in his freedom more and more, and how you can show others Jesus' freedom and love.