1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:03,920 Speaker 1: The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 2 00:00:04,940 --> 00:00:11,470 Speaker 1: Mark 2.27 Dear Lord Jesus, You are our ultimate source 3 00:00:11,510 --> 00:00:16,350 Speaker 1: of rest and comfort. The rest You offer isn't bound 4 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:23,830 Speaker 1: by rules or ordinances, but freely given through grace. Thank You, Lord, 5 00:00:24,430 --> 00:00:28,700 Speaker 1: for designing rest as a gift, a divine invitation to 6 00:00:28,770 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 1: lay down our burdens, and find peace in your presence. 7 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:38,850 Speaker 1: In a world that often values busyness over well-being, remind 8 00:00:38,909 --> 00:00:42,110 Speaker 1: us that our true rest is found not in the 9 00:00:42,170 --> 00:00:46,650 Speaker 1: observance of rituals, but in the embrace of your grace 10 00:00:47,110 --> 00:00:51,140 Speaker 1: and love. Thank you for offering us relief from our 11 00:00:51,180 --> 00:00:55,260 Speaker 1: striving and a place of refuge for our weary souls. 12 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,260 Speaker 1: Help us to enter into your rest daily, trusting in 13 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: your provision and care. In the name of Jesus, our 14 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:15,110 Speaker 1: peace and rest, we pray. Amen. The sun's gentle rays 15 00:01:15,230 --> 00:01:19,789 Speaker 1: scattered over the road. Jesus and his disciples walked beside 16 00:01:19,850 --> 00:01:24,350 Speaker 1: the barley fields, dragging their feet through the dirt. They 17 00:01:24,390 --> 00:01:27,980 Speaker 1: had been walking for a long time, and hunger pains 18 00:01:28,140 --> 00:01:29,179 Speaker 1: were beginning to set in. 19 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:31,860 Speaker 2: How much further to the synagogue? 20 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,540 Speaker 1: John asked with a low whine and wince of pain 21 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: in his voice. He held his stomach and breathed. 22 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 2: I'm not sure how long I can go without a meal. 23 00:01:41,940 --> 00:01:44,830 Speaker 1: Peter slid his hand through the grain as they sauntered 24 00:01:44,890 --> 00:01:47,990 Speaker 1: beside it. Taking an ear of grain in his hand, 25 00:01:48,510 --> 00:01:50,610 Speaker 1: he plucked it and tossed it to John. 26 00:01:52,410 --> 00:01:52,610 Speaker 3: Eat! 27 00:01:53,350 --> 00:01:55,230 Speaker 4: I don't want to drag you the rest of the way. 28 00:01:55,790 --> 00:01:59,730 Speaker 1: John removed the seeds quickly and scarfed them down. Peter 29 00:01:59,790 --> 00:02:03,730 Speaker 1: laughed and plucked one for himself. The men were hungry, 30 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:07,190 Speaker 1: and the outer layers of the grain fields was okay 31 00:02:07,250 --> 00:02:11,329 Speaker 1: for eating. The law of Moses made provisions for travelers. 32 00:02:12,790 --> 00:02:15,540 Speaker 1: Everything on the outskirts of a field was available to 33 00:02:15,580 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: pluck and eat. The twelve continued to pluck, eat, walk, 34 00:02:21,020 --> 00:02:26,989 Speaker 1: and laugh. Jesus enjoyed their laughter. He enjoyed the camaraderie 35 00:02:27,150 --> 00:02:31,310 Speaker 1: developing between his disciples. They would need it for the 36 00:02:31,350 --> 00:02:37,630 Speaker 1: struggles that awaited them. However, their joy was swiftly interrupted 37 00:02:38,169 --> 00:02:39,690 Speaker 1: by the presence of Pharisees. 38 00:02:40,370 --> 00:02:41,690 Speaker 2: What are you doing with that barley? 39 00:02:42,310 --> 00:02:46,630 Speaker 1: One of them shouted. Peter quickly tossed his grain away, 40 00:02:47,169 --> 00:02:51,690 Speaker 1: and John stuffed the rest in his mouth. Jesus chuckled, 41 00:02:52,060 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: seeing how they became flustered children when the Pharisees arrived. 42 00:02:55,940 --> 00:02:57,309 Speaker 3: Shabbat shalom, friends. 43 00:02:57,889 --> 00:02:59,610 Speaker 4: It's Shabbat for some of us. 44 00:03:00,230 --> 00:03:03,910 Speaker 1: They jabbed. They gestured to John with his mouth full 45 00:03:03,990 --> 00:03:04,530 Speaker 1: of barley. 46 00:03:04,850 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 4: Are you going to do anything about your followers, Jesus? Look, 47 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,300 Speaker 4: they are harvesting grain on the Sabbath. 48 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: The Pharisees had a talent for creating unnecessary rules. The 49 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:19,780 Speaker 1: law of Moses commanded people to rest on the Sabbath. 50 00:03:20,669 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: But the Pharisees had taken that to an extreme. They 51 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:28,300 Speaker 1: added extra rules and regulations on top of God's law. 52 00:03:29,380 --> 00:03:34,060 Speaker 1: Dragging a chair through the dirt was considered plowing. Lifting 53 00:03:34,139 --> 00:03:38,910 Speaker 1: jewelry onto your neck was considered work. They even ruled 54 00:03:38,930 --> 00:03:43,350 Speaker 1: that you couldn't lift anything heavier than a dried fig leaf. 55 00:03:43,870 --> 00:03:46,170 Speaker 4: They are desecrating the law of Moses! 56 00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:49,710 Speaker 1: Jesus looked back at John, whose mouth was full of grain. 57 00:03:50,290 --> 00:03:52,740 Speaker 2: Did you hear that, John? You're desecrating the law! 58 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: Jesus smiled and winked. John swallowed and gave a nervous grin. 59 00:03:59,180 --> 00:04:02,100 Speaker 1: Jesus turned to the Pharisees and plucked a piece of grain. 60 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,580 Speaker 2: You claim to be men who know the scriptures, but 61 00:04:05,620 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 2: it's clear that you've missed a few things. 62 00:04:07,820 --> 00:04:11,020 Speaker 1: He rolled the grain in his fingers, removing a few 63 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:13,750 Speaker 1: seeds and bouncing them in his palm. 64 00:04:14,190 --> 00:04:17,150 Speaker 2: Don't you remember how David ate bread designated for the 65 00:04:17,210 --> 00:04:21,089 Speaker 2: temple when he was overcome with hunger? The bread, although 66 00:04:21,150 --> 00:04:24,390 Speaker 2: meant for ceremony and not for eating. was used well. 67 00:04:25,290 --> 00:04:28,450 Speaker 2: It fueled God's anointed hero for the struggles ahead. 68 00:04:28,970 --> 00:04:32,529 Speaker 1: The Pharisees were insulted by the insinuation that they hadn't 69 00:04:32,670 --> 00:04:36,310 Speaker 1: read the story. Jesus tossed a piece of grain in 70 00:04:36,350 --> 00:04:36,789 Speaker 1: his mouth. 71 00:04:37,330 --> 00:04:40,210 Speaker 2: I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 72 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 2: I suggest you go back to your scrolls and read more. 73 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 2: Maybe then you'll find the meaning behind the words of 74 00:04:45,779 --> 00:04:50,700 Speaker 2: God when he says, I desire mercy over sacrifice. If 75 00:04:50,740 --> 00:04:53,739 Speaker 2: you truly knew what that meant... Wouldn't come here badgering 76 00:04:53,779 --> 00:04:55,279 Speaker 2: my friends who've done nothing wrong. 77 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:59,420 Speaker 4: We have laws for a reason, Jesus. You're setting a 78 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 4: dangerous precedent. 79 00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: The Sabbath was given to us for a purpose. Rest. 80 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,370 Speaker 2: The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 81 00:05:09,750 --> 00:05:13,950 Speaker 2: And remember this, dear friends. The Messiah, not you, is 82 00:05:14,029 --> 00:05:15,390 Speaker 2: Lord over the Sabbath. 83 00:05:16,190 --> 00:05:20,490 Speaker 1: Jesus passed them. His disciples held back smiles as they 84 00:05:20,529 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: continued walking toward the synagogue. A faint snicker could be 85 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: heard from them. They had never heard anyone speak to 86 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:32,130 Speaker 1: the Pharisees that way before. No one dared challenge their 87 00:05:32,270 --> 00:05:38,230 Speaker 1: unreasonable and unattainable standard. Jesus wasn't a smug man, nor 88 00:05:38,290 --> 00:05:42,750 Speaker 1: did he enjoy embarrassing the Pharisees. However, their pious and 89 00:05:42,850 --> 00:05:48,710 Speaker 1: hypocritical rules distanced people from God. They had added so 90 00:05:48,830 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 1: much to the law that people couldn't keep up or track. 91 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:57,310 Speaker 1: They were intent on adding to the law, but Jesus 92 00:05:58,050 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: had come to fulfill it. 93 00:06:02,310 --> 00:06:05,070 Speaker 5: Do you view Christianity as just a set of rules 94 00:06:05,110 --> 00:06:08,250 Speaker 5: to follow? Does it feel like following Jesus is a 95 00:06:08,390 --> 00:06:12,150 Speaker 5: constraint on your life? The gospel message is one of freedom. 96 00:06:12,589 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 5: Jesus frees us from the bondage of the law of 97 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 5: Moses and gives us a new perfect law of liberty, 98 00:06:17,940 --> 00:06:22,250 Speaker 5: a law of love, a law of endless possibilities. Those 99 00:06:22,270 --> 00:06:24,090 Speaker 5: who live according to the law will be judged by 100 00:06:24,110 --> 00:06:26,969 Speaker 5: the law. But we read in Romans 6, for sin 101 00:06:27,029 --> 00:06:29,500 Speaker 5: shall no longer be your master, because you are not 102 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:33,100 Speaker 5: under the law, but under grace. Understanding God's heart is 103 00:06:33,140 --> 00:06:36,620 Speaker 5: crucial for us to live out our faith as obedient disciples. 104 00:06:37,380 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 5: Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing 105 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,390 Speaker 5: the depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. 106 00:06:43,850 --> 00:06:46,150 Speaker 5: I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm so happy 107 00:06:46,170 --> 00:06:48,140 Speaker 5: that you're here with us. As we look at more 108 00:06:48,180 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 5: miracles of the Messiah, be sure to follow the podcast 109 00:06:50,700 --> 00:06:53,540 Speaker 5: on whatever platform you're listening to as we continue to 110 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 5: advance the gospel message together. Our story today falls on 111 00:06:57,860 --> 00:07:01,170 Speaker 5: a Sabbath, a Jewish day of rest. But this Sabbath 112 00:07:01,230 --> 00:07:03,990 Speaker 5: would be unlike most. What would have started out as 113 00:07:04,050 --> 00:07:08,510 Speaker 5: a quiet day for most eventually stirred into unrest. Now, 114 00:07:08,630 --> 00:07:11,310 Speaker 5: it wasn't unrest caused by Jesus who freely allowed his 115 00:07:11,350 --> 00:07:14,470 Speaker 5: disciples to pluck grain and to satiate their hungry bellies. 116 00:07:15,030 --> 00:07:16,980 Speaker 5: or who healed a man with a withered hand and 117 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,700 Speaker 5: the one who loved his neighbor as himself. The unrest 118 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 5: on this day formed and flowed from the hearts of 119 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,580 Speaker 5: the Pharisees and the scribes, the religious leaders who thought 120 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 5: they knew all there was about God. As their understanding 121 00:07:29,060 --> 00:07:32,590 Speaker 5: of God was challenged by Jesus working against their rigid ways, 122 00:07:32,630 --> 00:07:35,990 Speaker 5: their hearts became cold, hard, and bitter against the one 123 00:07:36,070 --> 00:07:38,790 Speaker 5: person they needed most to find the righteousness they spent 124 00:07:39,010 --> 00:07:42,230 Speaker 5: each day striving for. As we listen to our story today, 125 00:07:42,670 --> 00:07:45,780 Speaker 5: we might even find ourselves challenged too. But challenges can 126 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 5: be good if we respond with humility. Humility in receiving 127 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,860 Speaker 5: the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. 128 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:56,860 Speaker 1: The synagogue was like a palace, with grand archways and 129 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:02,050 Speaker 1: gemstones etched into the halls. The floors had bright tiles 130 00:08:02,150 --> 00:08:07,950 Speaker 1: and rugs sewn into intricate patterns. Incense swirled around Rabbi 131 00:08:07,990 --> 00:08:11,030 Speaker 1: Yochanan as he read from the Law of Moses, a 132 00:08:11,070 --> 00:08:12,490 Speaker 1: meditation on the Sabbath. 133 00:08:13,100 --> 00:08:19,410 Speaker 3: Thus says Adonai, observe the Sabbath day. Keep it holy 134 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:24,090 Speaker 3: as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you 135 00:08:24,130 --> 00:08:28,130 Speaker 3: shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh 136 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 3: day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On 137 00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:37,230 Speaker 3: it you shall not do any work. you or your 138 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:40,630 Speaker 3: son or your daughter or your male servant or your 139 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,020 Speaker 3: female servant or your ox or your donkey or any 140 00:08:44,059 --> 00:08:48,500 Speaker 3: of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, 141 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,020 Speaker 3: that your male servant and your female servant may rest 142 00:08:53,660 --> 00:08:58,210 Speaker 3: as well as you. You shall remember that you were 143 00:08:58,250 --> 00:09:01,589 Speaker 3: a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord 144 00:09:01,630 --> 00:09:05,890 Speaker 3: your God brought you out from here with a mighty hand. 145 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:13,230 Speaker 3: and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the Lord your God commanded 146 00:09:13,270 --> 00:09:15,950 Speaker 3: you to keep the Sabbath day. 147 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: Rabbi Yochanan closed the scroll and placed his hands on 148 00:09:20,059 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: the dais. 149 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,460 Speaker 3: The Sabbath is a day of pause, a day to 150 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 3: reflect on the holy contentment of Adonai. and mediate on 151 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:35,179 Speaker 3: his goodness. How can we do such things without refraining 152 00:09:35,260 --> 00:09:39,060 Speaker 3: from all forms of labor? Has the law not been clear? 153 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:43,150 Speaker 3: To be holy on this day is to be still. 154 00:09:43,730 --> 00:09:47,950 Speaker 1: As Rabbi Yochanan spoke, the Pharisees trickled in behind Jesus. 155 00:09:49,309 --> 00:09:52,189 Speaker 1: Just then another man entered and leaned against the wall. 156 00:09:52,809 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 1: He held his arm in his tunic. If you looked 157 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:59,809 Speaker 1: carefully in the torchlight, you could see that the man's 158 00:09:59,830 --> 00:10:05,340 Speaker 1: hands was mangled and withered away. The Pharisees gestured toward 159 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:08,380 Speaker 1: the man and whispered to Jesus, So. 160 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 4: You think you are an expert on the Sabbath? 161 00:10:11,940 --> 00:10:16,380 Speaker 2: Tell us then, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? 162 00:10:16,820 --> 00:10:20,630 Speaker 1: They were goading Jesus. They knew he was a miracle worker, 163 00:10:21,270 --> 00:10:25,310 Speaker 1: a healer. They wanted to trap Jesus with his character. 164 00:10:26,610 --> 00:10:29,890 Speaker 1: If he didn't heal the man, he wasn't the compassionate 165 00:10:29,950 --> 00:10:33,430 Speaker 1: person he claimed to be. If he did heal the man, 166 00:10:34,190 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: he broke their Sabbath rules in the sacred space of 167 00:10:37,750 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: the synagogue. From their perspective, Jesus lost either way. but 168 00:10:44,860 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: they were short-sighted in thinking Jesus cared about what the 169 00:10:47,990 --> 00:10:52,030 Speaker 1: Pharisees thought about it all. Jesus looked at the man. 170 00:10:53,110 --> 00:10:55,850 Speaker 1: He had a hand that bent in toward his chest, 171 00:10:56,610 --> 00:10:58,650 Speaker 1: as though he had been wounded that way for many 172 00:10:58,690 --> 00:11:02,740 Speaker 1: years and formed with no muscle to support it. It 173 00:11:02,770 --> 00:11:08,140 Speaker 1: had withered away like a more minor appendage than the rest. Jesus' 174 00:11:08,179 --> 00:11:12,900 Speaker 1: heart turned, sensing the wound of the man. Jesus sensed 175 00:11:12,940 --> 00:11:18,900 Speaker 1: his pain. Years of pain. The Pharisees saw him as 176 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:23,580 Speaker 1: a tool to puff up their pride. But Jesus saw 177 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 1: the man. 178 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 4: Ah, yes. 179 00:11:25,940 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: One of them raised an eyebrow at the wounded man 180 00:11:28,620 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: and then back to Jesus. 181 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 4: Another poor soul in need of healing. But is it 182 00:11:33,900 --> 00:11:35,540 Speaker 4: lawful to heal on the Sabbath? 183 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:38,720 Speaker 1: The wounded man clutched his frail arm to his chest 184 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: and sat in a ball on the floor. He pressed 185 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,780 Speaker 1: his forehead into his arm like he couldn't bear the 186 00:11:45,860 --> 00:11:50,310 Speaker 1: thought of teachers talking about him. They spoke as though 187 00:11:50,570 --> 00:11:54,329 Speaker 1: he were half a human, someone people could talk down 188 00:11:54,390 --> 00:11:59,130 Speaker 1: about openly without worrying that he would hear. But he 189 00:11:59,270 --> 00:12:03,860 Speaker 1: always heard. Jesus could sense in the wounded man the 190 00:12:03,940 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: silent dignity with which he suffered for years, the pain 191 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: and great agony that he had worn in his body. 192 00:12:12,410 --> 00:12:15,809 Speaker 1: The tiny flicker of hope in his chest caused him 193 00:12:15,950 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: to come here, to the synagogue of all places, hoping 194 00:12:20,980 --> 00:12:25,459 Speaker 1: that God would have mercy on him, that God would 195 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:30,540 Speaker 1: be kind to him. Rabbi Yochanan raised a finger at Jesus, 196 00:12:31,220 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: sensing his intentions. 197 00:12:33,260 --> 00:12:37,130 Speaker 3: Come, come, leave him alone, Jesus. It is the Sabbath. 198 00:12:37,770 --> 00:12:40,930 Speaker 3: There are other days to help the needy. Today is 199 00:12:41,010 --> 00:12:43,620 Speaker 3: not a day for actions. but reflection. 200 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:47,620 Speaker 1: Jesus took his eyes off the man who was folded over, 201 00:12:48,020 --> 00:12:51,689 Speaker 1: bent in a contorted way around his head. He addressed 202 00:12:51,750 --> 00:12:56,010 Speaker 1: the entire room. When Jesus spoke, it was not demanding. 203 00:12:56,929 --> 00:13:00,730 Speaker 1: It was soft, but firm in such a way that 204 00:13:00,809 --> 00:13:02,030 Speaker 1: commanded their attention. 205 00:13:02,410 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 2: Let me ask you all something. Which of you who 206 00:13:05,750 --> 00:13:07,819 Speaker 2: has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on 207 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,620 Speaker 2: the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift 208 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 2: it out if it is suffering? Would you not be 209 00:13:13,700 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 2: stirred enough with compassion to help it? 210 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,439 Speaker 1: He turned and looked between Rabbi Yochanan and the Pharisees. 211 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,020 Speaker 1: They each averted their gaze from him. 212 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:27,420 Speaker 2: Of how much more value is a man than a sheep? So, 213 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 2: let me ask again. If it was your sheep in 214 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:35,100 Speaker 2: that pit, or it was your sister, your brother, or 215 00:13:35,140 --> 00:13:39,110 Speaker 2: even your child, is it lawful to do good on 216 00:13:39,140 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 2: the Sabbath? 217 00:13:40,140 --> 00:13:42,550 Speaker 1: Jesus came forward and knelt beside the man on the 218 00:13:42,590 --> 00:13:47,140 Speaker 1: ground The man hid his eyes, ashamed that he had 219 00:13:47,179 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: become a tool for debate. Jesus spoke as though he 220 00:13:51,940 --> 00:13:55,900 Speaker 1: was the only one in the room. Nobody else mattered. 221 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:58,780 Speaker 1: It was just he and Jesus. 222 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,559 Speaker 2: My friend, stretch out your hand. 223 00:14:02,260 --> 00:14:05,819 Speaker 1: It was like asking a lame man to jump. For 224 00:14:05,860 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: a brief moment, the wounded man thought perhaps Jesus was 225 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: mocking him. But when he looked up, his eyes locked 226 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:20,350 Speaker 1: with Christ's. His eyes were kind. His voice was compassionate. 227 00:14:21,830 --> 00:14:25,170 Speaker 1: The man took heart and lifted his arm from his 228 00:14:25,210 --> 00:14:32,490 Speaker 1: tunic and forward to reach Jesus. Then, somehow, he stretched 229 00:14:32,570 --> 00:14:37,850 Speaker 1: it to full length. His muscles grew as they stretched, 230 00:14:38,630 --> 00:14:43,380 Speaker 1: and his fingers extended as they reached, He was being 231 00:14:43,460 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: healed right before his eyes. 232 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 4: My arm! 233 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: The man gasped. 234 00:14:49,540 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 4: Adonai, my arm is healed! 235 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,660 Speaker 1: The man looked at Jesus and began to weep. 236 00:14:55,020 --> 00:14:57,300 Speaker 4: You really are who they say you are. 237 00:14:57,640 --> 00:14:59,380 Speaker 1: The priest clutched their amulets. 238 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:00,780 Speaker 3: It was real. 239 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: The words shook the very halls. All went quiet. Heads 240 00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:10,570 Speaker 1: turned toward the man, who leaped to his feet, beaming. 241 00:15:12,230 --> 00:15:13,970 Speaker 4: My arm is healed! 242 00:15:14,330 --> 00:15:17,660 Speaker 1: His voice carried, and he gripped his hand with his other, 243 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,239 Speaker 1: as though to test that it was not some sort 244 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:21,380 Speaker 1: of trick of his eyes. 245 00:15:21,780 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 4: It's real, and it's working! 246 00:15:24,060 --> 00:15:27,590 Speaker 1: His voice echoed throughout the marble rafters and up into 247 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:31,490 Speaker 1: the spires of the temple. It was an unwanted sound, 248 00:15:32,010 --> 00:15:36,930 Speaker 1: this laughter. The synagogue had never hosted such a sound 249 00:15:36,970 --> 00:15:42,250 Speaker 1: like it before. The only acceptable sounds were subdued, hushed, 250 00:15:42,330 --> 00:15:48,070 Speaker 1: and fearful whispers. The temple onlookers shot frustrated glances at him, 251 00:15:48,570 --> 00:15:53,130 Speaker 1: annoyed by the irreverent presence of this miracle, upsetting their 252 00:15:53,210 --> 00:15:59,790 Speaker 1: holy Sabbath routines. Jesus smiled and shared in the man's delight. 253 00:16:00,230 --> 00:16:02,590 Speaker 2: Look at you, as good as new. Be careful not 254 00:16:02,630 --> 00:16:05,380 Speaker 2: to use it until tomorrow, though. It is the Sabbath, 255 00:16:05,460 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 2: after all. 256 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,380 Speaker 1: But the Pharisees walked on and turned toward each other. 257 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: It is not our way. One of them hissed. 258 00:16:13,140 --> 00:16:13,979 Speaker 4: How dare he? 259 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,500 Speaker 1: The other pressed. They turned their heads back toward Jesus 260 00:16:17,580 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 1: to check and make sure he wasn't listening. Then pressed 261 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:21,460 Speaker 1: in again. 262 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 4: He knowingly breaks our rules. 263 00:16:24,500 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 3: He's insolent. 264 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 1: He's dangerous. The others nodded. Their heads turned toward Jesus, 265 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,180 Speaker 1: who now walked side by side with the once wounded man. 266 00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:39,550 Speaker 1: And the two of them spoke casually, like equals. 267 00:16:39,930 --> 00:16:43,570 Speaker 4: We must do something about this. Send word to Caiaphas. 268 00:16:44,210 --> 00:16:47,730 Speaker 4: Jesus of Nazareth is threatening the very fabric of our ways. 269 00:16:48,750 --> 00:16:52,100 Speaker 4: Sooner or later, everyone who mocks the law of Moses 270 00:16:52,140 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 4: will get their due justice. He will pay for his crimes. 271 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,380 Speaker 5: The idea of the Sabbath can be found very early 272 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,199 Speaker 5: in scripture. In Genesis 1 and 2, God speaks his 273 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:08,379 Speaker 5: creation into existence, finding delight in each new masterpiece as 274 00:17:08,420 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 5: he declares them good. And at the end of his 275 00:17:10,820 --> 00:17:13,659 Speaker 5: work on the seventh day, God rests. Not because he 276 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,869 Speaker 5: needed to, but to enjoy the grand displays of the 277 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:20,889 Speaker 5: glory manifested through his handiwork. As an extension of his 278 00:17:21,030 --> 00:17:24,330 Speaker 5: own rest, God gives man the privilege of Sabbath rest. 279 00:17:24,810 --> 00:17:27,570 Speaker 5: Six days of work and labor awaiting a seventh day 280 00:17:27,630 --> 00:17:30,750 Speaker 5: to rest and enjoy Sabbath. God's creation with him. But 281 00:17:30,790 --> 00:17:34,390 Speaker 5: the Pharisees had long forgotten God's intention for this holy day. 282 00:17:34,869 --> 00:17:36,990 Speaker 5: Rather than seeing this day as a blessing to spend 283 00:17:37,010 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 5: time with God, they had contorted it by imposing rules 284 00:17:40,460 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 5: and regulations to make the day about themselves. They added 285 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,060 Speaker 5: to God's law to bolster their sense of self-righteousness. This 286 00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 5: was a common theme for the religious leaders that we 287 00:17:49,140 --> 00:17:52,359 Speaker 5: call legalism. The idea was rooted in thinking that they 288 00:17:52,380 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 5: could be more holy not just by abiding by the 289 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:58,450 Speaker 5: law of Moses, but showcasing their spiritual discipline by creating 290 00:17:58,550 --> 00:18:01,929 Speaker 5: even more constraints, more rules, more laws that didn't need 291 00:18:01,950 --> 00:18:04,450 Speaker 5: to be there. If the law drew a metaphorical line 292 00:18:04,490 --> 00:18:07,290 Speaker 5: in the sand, the Pharisees would take a step back 293 00:18:07,330 --> 00:18:10,190 Speaker 5: and draw their own. A good example of this is 294 00:18:10,230 --> 00:18:12,570 Speaker 5: that the Pharisees of the time said that it wasn't 295 00:18:12,609 --> 00:18:14,790 Speaker 5: even good to move a chair because you might churn 296 00:18:14,850 --> 00:18:18,610 Speaker 5: up dust and that's considered plowing or farming. These absurd 297 00:18:18,690 --> 00:18:21,790 Speaker 5: rules and regulations were just meant to create a tiered 298 00:18:21,869 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 5: system of who's best at obeying God or not. But 299 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,680 Speaker 5: for all their efforts, the Pharisees' legalism was only leading 300 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,530 Speaker 5: to more bondage. In their attempts to attain holiness, the 301 00:18:31,550 --> 00:18:34,390 Speaker 5: religious leaders added to the weight of the law. Not 302 00:18:34,450 --> 00:18:37,210 Speaker 5: only did this not bring them the righteousness they thought 303 00:18:37,230 --> 00:18:39,770 Speaker 5: it would, it was actually pulling them away from the 304 00:18:39,810 --> 00:18:42,649 Speaker 5: heart of God. The problem had gotten so bad that 305 00:18:42,670 --> 00:18:45,810 Speaker 5: they weren't even able to recognize Jesus as the anointed one. 306 00:18:46,290 --> 00:18:47,970 Speaker 5: God was right in front of them, and they were 307 00:18:47,990 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 5: so blinded to his heart and character that they didn't 308 00:18:50,420 --> 00:18:54,889 Speaker 5: recognize that he was incarnate walking right among them. They 309 00:18:54,910 --> 00:18:57,030 Speaker 5: had added so much to the Word of God that 310 00:18:57,050 --> 00:18:59,730 Speaker 5: they blocked their own view of who God really was. 311 00:19:00,690 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 5: Some people might be critics of our lifestyle when following Jesus, 312 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 5: but we shouldn't let the chains of others' judgment bind 313 00:19:06,580 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 5: us and hold us back from experiencing the freedom that Jesus. 314 00:19:09,820 --> 00:19:10,439 Speaker 1: Gives to us. 315 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,899 Speaker 5: As the Pharisees berate Jesus and his disciples for plucking 316 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,679 Speaker 5: and eating grain in the fields on the Sabbath, Jesus 317 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,580 Speaker 5: reminds them that the Sabbath was made for man, not 318 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 5: man for the Sabbath, and that he was Lord over 319 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,869 Speaker 5: the Sabbath. He was the one who decided what was 320 00:19:24,990 --> 00:19:27,330 Speaker 5: lawful and what wasn't lawful on the day of rest. 321 00:19:27,790 --> 00:19:29,649 Speaker 5: He knew the heart of the Father and encouraged his 322 00:19:29,690 --> 00:19:31,630 Speaker 5: disciples to enjoy the day for what it was meant 323 00:19:31,650 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 5: to be, a connecting point with God. Frustrated with Jesus 324 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 5: and wanting to eventually trap him, they follow him to 325 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:41,620 Speaker 5: the synagogue. Their intentions were clear. They wanted to trap Jesus. 326 00:19:41,980 --> 00:19:44,030 Speaker 5: And seeing the man with the withered hand and knowing 327 00:19:44,070 --> 00:19:47,389 Speaker 5: his pattern of performing healing miracles, they asked Jesus if 328 00:19:47,450 --> 00:19:50,380 Speaker 5: it's lawful for him to heal on the Sabbath, arguably 329 00:19:50,420 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 5: the greatest work you could perform on a day meant 330 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:56,500 Speaker 5: for rest. It's at this point that Jesus demonstrates God's heart. 331 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,140 Speaker 5: Using recognizable imagery to their day, he questions the people 332 00:20:00,180 --> 00:20:02,580 Speaker 5: of the synagogue if they wouldn't rescue a sheep from 333 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:05,050 Speaker 5: their flock who had fallen into a pit on the Sabbath. 334 00:20:05,550 --> 00:20:08,350 Speaker 5: With no response from the people who couldn't dispute Jesus' question, 335 00:20:08,810 --> 00:20:10,950 Speaker 5: the Lord turns to the man with a withered hand 336 00:20:11,070 --> 00:20:13,950 Speaker 5: and commands him to stretch it out. At that moment, 337 00:20:14,070 --> 00:20:16,270 Speaker 5: the hand was healed, just as good as the other. 338 00:20:16,910 --> 00:20:19,879 Speaker 5: In breaking the Pharisees' Sabbath rules, he was teaching the 339 00:20:19,930 --> 00:20:22,859 Speaker 5: people about the loving heart of the Father, who wasn't 340 00:20:22,900 --> 00:20:25,399 Speaker 5: in the habit of allowing man-made rules to interfere with 341 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:28,439 Speaker 5: his willingness and desire to care for his children. He 342 00:20:28,460 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 5: was showing them, and shows us, that the law of 343 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,659 Speaker 5: Christ hinges on loving others and was greater than the 344 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:37,379 Speaker 5: law of Moses that would bind people. I think that 345 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:41,350 Speaker 5: there's something silly about this whole interaction. The Pharisees are 346 00:20:41,390 --> 00:20:43,929 Speaker 5: mad at Jesus because he broke the rules, but he 347 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:48,330 Speaker 5: broke the rules and healed somebody's withered hand, displaying obviously 348 00:20:48,590 --> 00:20:51,729 Speaker 5: that he has the power of God. This proves that 349 00:20:51,810 --> 00:20:55,990 Speaker 5: some people would rather abide by rules than worship the creator. 350 00:20:56,830 --> 00:21:00,510 Speaker 5: Some people find more comfort in religion and religious practices 351 00:21:00,630 --> 00:21:03,690 Speaker 5: and institutions than they do in the character and in 352 00:21:03,730 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 5: the will and in the power of God himself. Because 353 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,580 Speaker 5: let's be honest here, it's much easier to follow a 354 00:21:09,700 --> 00:21:13,140 Speaker 5: set of moral rules than it is to truly live 355 00:21:13,220 --> 00:21:17,439 Speaker 5: a selfless and effective and loving life that transforms our communities. 356 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 5: It's easy to sit on our hands and withhold from 357 00:21:20,619 --> 00:21:23,500 Speaker 5: doing anything wrong. It's much harder to be an active 358 00:21:23,660 --> 00:21:27,010 Speaker 5: member of our community and lifting people up around us. 359 00:21:27,460 --> 00:21:30,130 Speaker 5: It's a lot easier not to curse than it is 360 00:21:30,410 --> 00:21:32,929 Speaker 5: to actually speak blessing to someone who's in the throes 361 00:21:32,970 --> 00:21:36,220 Speaker 5: of depression. It's easier to refrain from listening to bad 362 00:21:36,300 --> 00:21:39,730 Speaker 5: music than it is to use our God-given talents and 363 00:21:39,810 --> 00:21:43,369 Speaker 5: creativity to create music that honors Him and blesses the 364 00:21:43,410 --> 00:21:46,590 Speaker 5: people around us. You see, moving to the heartbeat of 365 00:21:46,750 --> 00:21:50,109 Speaker 5: righteousness in the Holy Spirit is a much more challenging 366 00:21:50,190 --> 00:21:54,510 Speaker 5: thing than living a moralistic, self-righteous life. As followers of Jesus, 367 00:21:54,609 --> 00:21:56,540 Speaker 5: we live by the law of Christ and His love. 368 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,740 Speaker 5: While we should never purposefully go against God's commands, we 369 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:02,360 Speaker 5: also need to be mindful of That where we've added 370 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:04,859 Speaker 5: to God's law in our own moral standards that haven't 371 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:07,629 Speaker 5: even been set by God. I remember there was a 372 00:22:07,710 --> 00:22:10,690 Speaker 5: prolific teacher that came to our church. Now this teacher 373 00:22:10,750 --> 00:22:14,590 Speaker 5: is very famous and he'll remain anonymous for now, but I'll. 374 00:22:14,490 --> 00:22:15,130 Speaker 1: Just say this. 375 00:22:15,630 --> 00:22:18,469 Speaker 5: At his church, he wears a suit and tie. All 376 00:22:18,510 --> 00:22:20,949 Speaker 5: of his church attendees wear a suit and tie. But 377 00:22:20,990 --> 00:22:22,250 Speaker 5: when he was at our church, he was wearing a 378 00:22:22,290 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 5: short sleeve button up and some jeans. This is the 379 00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:27,780 Speaker 5: common garb in our church on a Sunday morning. The 380 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 5: comments that we received on YouTube was staggering. Tons of 381 00:22:31,940 --> 00:22:36,179 Speaker 5: his followers from his church decrying him for compromising his 382 00:22:36,260 --> 00:22:40,680 Speaker 5: morality by no longer wearing a suit and tie. This 383 00:22:40,740 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 5: is a great example of modern day legalism. Nowhere in 384 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 5: the Bible and nowhere in scripture will you find any 385 00:22:49,020 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 5: sort of dress code for what you need to wear 386 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:56,020 Speaker 5: in church. But some people place these moral standards that 387 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 5: aren't supposed to be there. Jesus was willing to break 388 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,699 Speaker 5: the religious leader's rules for the sake of breaking us 389 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 5: free from the law, live in freedom he offers us, 390 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 5: be willing to swim against the current, push back against 391 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:11,050 Speaker 5: religiosity to follow God's heart, and love others with the 392 00:23:11,109 --> 00:23:12,629 Speaker 5: radical love of Jesus.