Read: Luke 14:1-6

Once again, Jesus finds himself in controversy, and once again Jesus challenges the reason for religion.

It is a very "religious" setting - Jesus is having a meal with a religious big wig; it is a Sabbath day, a Sabbath meal. When Jesus saw a sick man - something that sounds like debilitating arthritis, he asked his host if it is alright to heal on a Sabbath day. The religious big wig didn't know the anwer.

It shouldn't be that difficult, you'd think. How can obedience to God be at odds with being kind to people? How can loving God be pit against loving people - epecially those in need? What kind of religion turns a blind eye to suffering as an act of devotion to God? What kind of God would demand that from followers?

Jesus poses a similar scenario: if a child or a household animal falls into a well, would what day it is make any difference to the rescue? Everyone there knew it wouldn't.

God feels about us the way those people feel about their children or household animal. And God is wondering how those "religious" folk who speak for him doesn't seem to know him at all. He is perplex that they think he cares more about the Sabbath rules than the well being of his creatures. He is heartbroken that they have him so wrong.

As they churn over their philosophical dilemma, Jesus heals the man and sends him on his way. To Jesus, this is not a philosophical problem, it is a real flesh and blood problem standing before him with deformed joints. He feels the man's pain and he instinctively heals him. Because that's the right thing to do.

Write
Think about your ideas religious devotion. Think about what people do in God's name. How well do you think you get what's important to God?

Do you know someone who rejects that God requires because the requirements don't seem to make sense?

What assumptions you have about God that may have him wrong?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about what you understand he wants of you. Tell him what you find difficult, and what don't make sense to you.

Pray for wisdom and help for yourself and your friend in your continual effort to get to know God and what he wants of you.

Pray for a fresh experience of God's love, grace and mercy through learning something new about what matters to God.