Thoughts for the Day

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

What's a 'stumbling block'? Perhaps we have an image of a path where there is some obstacle that causes people to fall on their walk it. In Christian terms this is about some incident or person that causes us to fall away from our journey with God. However, we should also notice that Isaiah says even God can be a stumbling block - to the wicked (Isaiah 8.13-15). At the time of Jesus the Law itself had become a stumbling block. For instance, a man or woman could stem the blood from a cut on the Sabbath, that was lawful. But they couldn't put ointment on it, that was unlawful!

In today's reading Jesus is again in a synagogue perhaps the same one where he healed the man with an 'unclean spirit'. If so, then the authorities have already seen him in action, and know the power that he has to heal the sick. On this particular Sabbath they are waiting to catch him in the act of committing an unlawful act of healing. Jesus gives them an opportunity to have pity on the man with a withered hand, but their hearts are hardened against him. The Pharisees subsequently use this healing to join with their hated enemies, the Herodians. Jesus is both angry at their attitude and full of sadness at their hardness of heart. His compassion overcomes the rule of an unjust law, and he heals the man.

Today we need to become aware of the way petty rules and regulations in our world, in our community, and in our church, can become stumbling blocks to others. Perhaps we have become stumbling blocks to others, so that that our attitudes cause others to fall away from following Jesus? Take this moment to think of examples, and look at how you might remedy the situation.

Lord Jesus Christ,
help us not to allow rules and regulations
to overcome our sense of justice and compassion
so that we become stumbling blocks to others.
May we see ourselves as others see us,
and correct any hardness of heart
that has entered into us.
Help us always to smooth the path
ahead for those in need,
and ever to think how You would act.
Amen.