"Ginabantayan Nila Si Jesus"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 14:1-6)

Isa sadto ka Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, gin-imbitar si Jesus sang isa ka manugdumala sang mga Pariseo nga magkaon sa iya balay. Pag-abot ni Jesus didto, ginbantayan siya sang mga tawo nga nagakontra sa iya kon bala lapason niya ang Kasuguan.

Karon, may tawo didto nga nagapalamanog ang bug-os niya nga lawas.

Nagpamangkot si Jesus sa mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag sa mga Pariseo, "Ginatugot bala sang aton Kasuguan nga magpang-ayo sang mga masakiton sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway ukon wala?"

Pero naghipos lang sila. Dayon ginkaptan ni Jesus ang tawo kag gin-ayo. Pagkatapos ginpalakat niya.

Kag nagsiling siya sa mga tawo didto, "Abi kon kamo may bata ukon baka nga mahulog sa bubon sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, pabay-an lang bala ninyo kay Adlaw nga Inugpahuway?"

Pero wala gid sing may nakasabat sa iya pamangkot.

***

Meditation: 

How do you approach the commandment to observe the sabbath as a day of rest? The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus was a reckless Sabbath-breaker. The gospels record seven incidents in which Jesus healed on the Sabbath – the seventh day of the week set apart for rest and worship. You would think Jesus' miracles on the Sabbath would draw admiration and gratitude from all. Unfortunately, each incident seemed to incite increasing hostility from the religious leaders who held an interpretation that went beyond God's intention for the Sabbath rest. They were certain that Jesus was a dangerous and irreligious man, a Sabbath-breaker, who must be stopped at all costs! Why did the Pharisees invite Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath, after he had already repeatedly broken their Sabbath regulations? 

Luke, a physican and keen observer of the human condition, notes the disposition of the Pharisees as they bring Jesus into their table fellowship. Body language often communicates more truthfully than words. Luke says the scribes and Pharisees were watching Jesus, no doubt with great suspicion. They wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law and find some way to discredit him. Jesus' attention and affection quickly turned to a person who had a physical ailment called dropsy. How did such a pitiable person get into this dinner party? In the hot arid climate of Palestine, homes were open and people freely dropped in without much fuss or attention. For the religious minded it was considered uncharitable to exclude beggars. And if a rabbi came to dinner, it would be expected for him to speak a few words. So, famous rabbis obviously drew crowds of bystanders wherever they went. 

Jesus already knew that his hosts wanted to catch him in the act of breaking their Sabbath rituals. So when Jesus gave his defense for healing on the Sabbath, they treated him with cold silence. They were ensnared in their own legalism and could not understand or see the purpose of God in allowing a work of healing to take precedence over rest. Why did God give the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath and enjoined his people to refrain from work on that day? The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his works, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. It was not, however, intended to put a stop to love of God and love of neighbor. The law of love supercedes the law of rest! Jesus shows the fallacy of the Pharisees' legalism by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to heal. God's word has power to heal and to set us free from ignorance, error, intolerance, and prejudice. Do you honor the Lord's Day with appropriate rest and worship, and do you treat your neighbor with love and compassion at all times? 

"Lord Jesus, may I always honor you, both  in my work and in my rest, and in the way I treat my neighbor. Fill me with your love and keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor in every situation."