MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Luke 13:10-17
Isaiah 53:4-9

“…he hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows…”

GOD’S MERCY

Jesus is merciful to His people, teaching them the way of salvation. Israel’s outward rejection of the Son of God would have been more than enough to condemn them, but Jesus remained merciful to them, teaching them not once but continually. Their unbelief made them unable to comprehend the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. They should have listened to what Isaiah said in Isaiah 53:4.

Jesus met a woman who for eighteen years had an infirmity. It did not appear that she made any request of Him, or expected anything from Him. But even before she called, Jesus gave His attention to her. She came to Him to be taught and to get spiritual wellness for her soul. She received much blessing from Christ: the physical relief to her physical infirmity and the salvation of her soul.

He healed her on the Sabbath. The Jews were very particular about their extra-biblical laws for the Sabbath, thinking that they were glorifying God by their strict observance. In their traditions, they neglected the needy people. They were more merciful to their animals than to the woman who was made in God’s own image. Instead of loving, “curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God” (James 3:9). They questioned Jesus’ healing of the woman, not realizing they were more needful of Jesus’ mercy than her.

The woman was healed of her physical infirmities. She was made straight and she glorified God for the healing. In response to the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus called him a hypocrite for he could not discern his great need for healing. His adversaries’ lack of wisdom would have been enough for God to judge them but He remained merciful unto them, still inviting all sinners to repent. Oh, how His mercy endures forever! Harden not your heart today!

THOUGHT: Am I seeking physical or spiritual healing from Jesus?
PRAYER: O Lord God, Thou art the only source of healing for those who are spiritually and physically sick. Help me seek what is more necessary for my life.