But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” Luke 13:15-16
Jesus teaches us something very practical in this passage. He calls the people’s attention to the fact that they actually do work on the Sabbath by caring for their animals and how much more should they care for their brothers and sisters on the Sabbath. This is the heart of His lesson.
Sometimes as humans we get wrapped up in our way of doing things and what’s “proper”. We often feel there is a time and place for things. This is what the synagogue leader says in verse 14, “come on those days to be healed and not on the Sabbath”.
Jesus tells us that the proper time and place for caring about each other is always here and now. It is always right to do good for others, regardless of the situation. When someone is in need of God’s love and our assistance, we must be ready to act.
Gracious God, we are humbled by the love and care You send us, and shamed by our selfishness in not sharing it freely. Help us to be good stewards of Your gifts, giving to others as You first gave to us. Amen.