Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I’m an introvert and a doer. This means when I have something on my mind that I need to do, I sure don’t want to talk to anyone. I want to do the task in my head. I don’t want “distractions.” I often walk into the grocery store with my head down because I have a list in my head and I don’t want to take away from the task at hand. Then there are the tasks immediately following the grocery store run, things that need to be done later that day, and things that need to be done later that week. All of these things are what I process while walking through the grocery store. Being inside my head is probably not the best place to be for you, but hang with me.

One day during the holidays, I had a day off. I had to make a Walmart run for some ingredients to cook for the holidays. I walked in with nothing in my head except the few things I needed to grab. No to-do list, just time. On that trip, I ran across an old friend, a friend who was struggling with a lot in life. I had a chance to counsel with that friend, to talk, and to pray. We sat there in the produce section talking for probably an hour. It was a chance to show love in the moment, and I’m so glad that I had my head up and clear and that I was able to have this encounter.

In Matthew 12:9-14, Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The religious leaders watch closely to see if Jesus will heal the man on the Sabbath, which they consider unlawful. Yet, Jesus, knowing their thoughts, challenges their legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath law.

Jesus asks the question, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?" and then proceeds to heal the man's hand, demonstrating that acts of mercy and compassion are always appropriate, regardless of the day. In doing so, Jesus reveals the true heart of God's law, which is rooted in love and care for others.

This passage reminds us that Jesus is not bound by human traditions or legalistic interpretations of religious rules. He prioritizes the needs of individuals over rigid adherence to man-made regulations (even when those regulations are purely made inside our heads). His ministry is characterized by a profound commitment to healing and restoration, even in the face of opposition from religious authorities.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to emulate His example of compassion and mercy. We are reminded that our faith is not merely about adhering to a set of rules or rituals (even our own that we made in our head) but about embodying the love of Christ in our interactions with others. May we be like Jesus, willing to reach out to those in need, even if it means challenging the status quo, or simply challenging our schedule for the day. Let’s prioritize love and kindness in our interactions with others, following the example of Jesus who came to show us the heart of God.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Where can you be more flexible in your rules, regulations, or even schedule to show love to others?