Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

“Until you have real compassion, you cannot recognize love.” – Bob Thurman

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Luke 6:6-7

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.

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Whatever happened to empathy?

I’m thankful that there are those in the world who are empathetic, but more are sorely needed.

In today’s scripture verses, we see that the religious leaders of Jesus’ time were so focused on carrying out the rules of their religious tradition, that they would do so instead of doing a loving act.

Jesus saw the man with the withered hand and was moved with compassion.

He knew the rule against working during the sabbath, but he put it aside in favor of doing what was compassionate.

Jesus asked the religious leaders, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)

When Jesus heals the man, the scribes and Pharisees are enraged.

Jesus made it quite clear that the most important of all commandments was to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

Love is what takes precedence.

Jesus also said, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!” (Mark 7:9)

This practice continues today with many choosing the strict and blind adherence to laws without any thought to compassion and the clear teaching of Jesus himself.

Thought for today: Am I choosing compassion over rules and the need to be right?

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Remember: God loves you!