January 22

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” — Matt 12:2 BSB

Some people are always watching others, trying to find fault. They seem to believe it’s their job to keep others in line, and in doing so, they often forget to look at their own shortcomings. Our first responsibility is to live rightly ourselves. We won’t have to answer for anyone else’s actions, but we will have to answer for our own.

The Sabbath is meant to be a blessing, not a burden. God doesn’t want us to go hungry or suffer on His day of rest. He desires mercy, not sacrifice. The Jews thought Jesus was breaking the Sabbath by healing the man with the withered hand, but Jesus showed them that doing good is always right, even on the Sabbath. Doctors, nurses, and caregivers who work on the Sabbath are continuing Christ’s ministry of mercy. We can trust our lives to Jesus, no matter how broken or bruised we are. He is the most skilled and compassionate healer, able to restore us to wholeness.