Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 24:2-4 (New Living Translation)

2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.

Here is an example of how Jesus often taught. First was the test or the exam. After that, came the lectures or talks. We mostly do this the other way around in our education system. Perhaps we are backwards?

It is the Sabbath and Jesus is at a dinner. A horribly sick person was sat next to Jesus. This person looked awful. Really. If this person were in the coffee shop I am in now as I type these words, people would move away and leave the place.

It was no accident that such an unsightly and unhealthy person was placed next to Jesus on the Sabbath day. This was a trap.

Jesus healed the person. What a wonderful blessing.

The next sentences contain the lecture. They are about humility and serving those who are lesser than myself. That is what Jesus did. He stooped down and served the sick person.

Jesus goes on to talk about not putting yourself in a seat of honor. Instead, take the lower seat like a servant. Invite the poor to your banquet. The rich can pay you back, the poor cannot. Just as the sick person could not pay Jesus for the miracle.

Jesus continues the lecture with a story about a banquet. The rich passed. The banquet holder invited the poor. Stoop down. Serve the poor.

It is all about serving those whom society disdains. It is all about love and service.

Okay, I got it. Uh, do I do it? Not well enough. Please God, help me in my unbelief.