Chasing Wisdom by Daniel Grotheنموونە

In Matthew 12, we find an instructive little story. It would be easy to miss as it only takes up six verses. One Sabbath day, Jesus is walking through the grain fields to the synagogue. It was time for church. When he gets there, the text tells us that a man with a shriveled hand is worshipping among the festive throng. My imagination races as I read the text: Was the man off in the corner? Was he considered unclean? Did people assume his malady was some sort of judgment from God? Were they staring at him? The Pharisees obviously noticed him, making an example of him in church: “Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ ” (Matt. 12:10).

The ancient Jews had taken seriously the call to Sabbath rest, and therefore had fortified the day with all manner of rules to keep people from violating it. But these rules were getting in the way of doing good works. Jesus, knowing they were missing the point of the Sabbath, made a massive claim: “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. . . . Then Jesus said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other” (Matt. 12:8, 13). In just a few sentences, Jesus let the world know that the Sabbath does not exist so a rigid rule can be followed. It exists so our withered lives can be made whole.

Therefore, take care of yourselves, my friends. Know when to be gentle with yourself. There is rest for you: for your bodies as well as for your souls. For if you’re going to be a gift to the world, you’re going to have to rest. Wisdom is found in knowing when to draw away so that you can step back in with something to give.

Receive his gift. Follow Jesus—the Lord of the Sabbath—into his Sabbath rest.